The 34 year old environmental consultant and photographer, Akhila Vijayaraghavan talks to DC about her new project called, 'Fierce', an independent social photography project which focuses on exercise, body image, women and personal safety.
What made you come up with this idea of project 'Fierce'?
I wanted to put out more positive content about women and give people the opportunity to view women with a different perspective. I've always been an active person and working out gives me a sense of focus and purpose like nothing else. Through this project, I wanted to attempt to seek my tribe and to understand the commitment that women make towards their bodies and their minds by putting their health first. It is in the nature of sport to push a person to their physical limits. Whether one is a professional athlete or a casual sportsperson, aspiring to go beyond what your body is capable of shows us that all limits exist only in the mind.
Fierce is a series that attempts to tell these stories. The pictures themselves portray the women as naturally as possible often juxtaposing the sport or activity that they do with another aspect of their life. All portraits are shot in black and white to keep things uniform as the series is shot in natural light in locations I often have no control over. Additionally, I didn't want judgment based on skin, hair, eye colour and keeping it monochrome strips this away and focuses on the essentials.
What is Fierce all about and how did it materialise?
This project was conceptualised to explore stories of women through the lens of sport. I wanted to take topics like body image, mental health, harassment and view it through the positivity that sport automatically brings. The new wave of feminism is playing an important role in exploring womanhood in ways which are empowering, disruptive, but ultimately demanding. Movements like #metoo and Time's Up serve as a mechanism to speak up against misogyny, patriarchy and the shackles of societal expectations. In India, these tenants are the norm for most women. In spite of this however, women are finding a voice for themselves and these voices are growing into a roar of affirmation.
Women are subject to incredible pressure and often unrealistic expectations to look a certain way and be a certain size. A woman is oftentimes judged more for the way she looks than her education and intelligence. I wanted to understand this on a more intimate level and look at the ways women deal with it.
On this journey so far, I have heard stories of everyday resilience. I have heard stories of depression, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia. I have also heard stories of incredible body positivity and acceptance. The more I spoke to these women, the more they wanted to be heard. However what struck me was not the supposed weakness but the incredible strength they all portrayed. From putting up with the physical pain of recovery, to the mental anguish of defeat, they have all fallen down several times but have picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and carried on being fierce.
When women's bodies are still treated as commodities and women are seldom taught to have ownership of their bodies, looking at images that portray women doing activities that empower them becomes a form of rebellion by its own merit.
What are your hobbies and what do you carry out professionally?
I'm an environmental consultant and work with companies to advise them on their corporate responsibility strategy. Apart from photography, I love music, reading, working out, and the outdoors.
Photography something you are passionate about or is it the idea behind the lens?
I have been taking photographs since I was in college - it is something that I enjoy doing. However, with this project, the idea behind it and the prospect of talking to women and hearing their stories is what propels me to pick up the camera.
What is your take on sustainability of our environment since you work for the same division?
One of the aims of this project is to offer a brief glimpse into how cities can aim to be more sustainable by changing infrastructure that support activities like walking, running and biking. Many of the women I have spoken to have echoed a common sentiment which is that they would love to work-out outdoors if there were better, safer facilities. Well-lit running paths in parks, designated bicycle lanes, more trees on the roads etc all make working out outdoors pleasant.
Women who are into trekking, trail running, rowing, surfing, paddle-boarding etc notice the amount of garbage that gets thrown carelessly. These are all very basic issues in sustainability that affects quality of life on a daily basis that we as citizens have to collectively start caring about. What is the point of having a gorgeous beach or an amazing trekking trail if it is strewn with plastic bottles and litter everywhere?
