Imphal’s first Social Photography Masterclass united students and storytellers to capture India’s unseen through empathy and powerful visuals

Grassroots Storytellers Masterclass, Imphal, Manipur

We held our first-ever Masterclass on Social Photography in Imphal. This workshop focused on teaching authentic storytelling through empathy and building an archive of images that show a different side of India. Renowned photo-artist Mr. Ratan Luwang inaugurated the session, and Padmashree Sudharak Olwe inspired participants with discussions on ethics and the power of images. This event was made possible through the support of Win.
Foundation, Manipur, PhotoSouthAsia, and the MurthyNAYAK Foundation.

Grassroots Storytellers Workshop, Diyun, Arunachal Pradesh

PPT travelled over 3,000 kilometers to Diyun, a village in Arunachal Pradesh, for our fourth Grassroots Storytellers workshop. Students at Sneha School learned visual storytelling, framing, and composition to capture their community’s unique stories. One participant, awed by the insight he gained by seeing his community through the lens, said: “I gained a fresh perspective on our tribal culture by seeing it through the lens. It introduced me to my own village anew.”

‘Through The Lens’ with MSFDA
We partnered with the Maharashtra State Faculty Development Academy (MSFDA) to launch ‘Through The Lens’, a series of intensive photography workshops across Maharashtra. This collaboration aims to use visual storytelling as a powerful educational tool.

Grassroots Storytellers Workshops in Odisha

Niyamgiri: We worked with the Dongria Kondh community in Niyamgiri, Odisha, teaching young people to use cameras to share their own lives and realities. Lodha Tribe: The second phase of the Grassroots Storytellers project reached the Lodha Tribe of Mayurbhanj, providing them with photography tools and training to reclaim their narratives and share their cultural identity and dreams.

Grassroots Storytellers Workshop, Bhamragad

Our first Grassroots Storytellers workshop in Bhamragad, Gadchiroli, empowered young Madia Gond participants to use photography to represent their remote regions.

Jolly Art Adda: Our art space, Jolly Art Adda, hosted various artistic events, including ‘PREM’ (community reflection through art), ‘live’ landscape painting, and ‘WAVE’ (artist-led workshops).
Painting Workshop & Group Art Show
We concluded our third painting workshop led by Sanjay Nikam and hosted a group exhibition with Jolly Art Adda, bringing artists and audiences together.

Year-Long Youth Empowerment Initiative

PPT launched a national initiative to empower marginalized youth by teaching photography and filmmaking. We aimed to provide smartphones with quality cameras to help bridge the digital divide for students in rural and tribal communities.

Organisation Building & Leadership Development Workshop

In collaboration with Anubhuti, we conducted a three-day workshop focused on strengthening organisational structures, leadership development, and peer learning for local leaders and community workers.

‘80 Frames’ Photography Exhibition

A special monsoon-themed exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery celebrated the work of writer Kiran Nagarkar.

‘Samyak Drishti’

Our digital magazine released a special issue featuring pandemic stories, interviews with master photographers, and travel essays, continuing to be a platform for visual storytelling accessible to all.
Tap the link to learn more – https://samyak-drishti.com

Early Year Exhibitions at Jolly Art Adda

The year began with exhibitions curated by Sanjay Nikam: ‘Testing Time’ (exploring resilience) and ‘Order Disorder’ (showcasing work by women artists).

‘Ranggandh’ Workshop for the Visually Impaired

In partnership with Shreerang Charitable Trust, PPT organised this workshop for visually impaired participants, celebrating Marathi Bhasha Din through sensory experiences in colour, texture, and language.
“More than the science of photography, it is the art that’s most essential to understand. This is what Sudharak Olwe teaches us at his Masterclass.
You don’t just see and experience his work, you feel it. Strongly. It is the difference you can make in this world. You learn to speak by giving voice to your subject through your lens. I am glad I attended his workshop.”

Suhasini M

10 Workshops

Our photography workshops brought together students, teachers, and partner organizations.

6 Exhibitions

We curated 6 exhibitions in multiple towns and renowned galleries.

Participants 1.6K+

Over 1600 people visited and engaged with our exhibitions.

34 Art Camps

We hosted weekend workshops every Saturday and Sunday all year round.
In 2022, every workshop, exhibition, and community event helped us advance our mission to make visual storytelling accessible to everyone. From remote forests to city campuses, and from tribal villages to art galleries, Photography Promotion Trust reaffirmed its commitment to using photography and art to promote dignity, equality, and expression
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