Life in Pandemic

Keshab Raj Thoker’s book “Life in Pandemic: Kathmandu during Covid 19” is a conversation starter. The picture book reflects multifaceted aspects of the Covid19 situation in the Kathmandu Valley during the years 2020 and 2021.

Keshab has been working in the field of photojournalism in Nepal for the past sixteen years. He aims to portray the power and influence of photography as a medium for disseminating information. Currently, Keshab is working as Photo Editor at Nepinsight Media. He received a Press Council Photojournalism Award in 2023 from President Ram Chandra Poudel. Same year, he also won a silver award in the women’s rights category of the Asian Press Photo Contest 2023, Singapore.

WOW caught up for a quick conversation with Keshab to talk about his picture book. Excerpts:

 

What was the driving force behind your book Life in Pandemic: Kathmandu during Covid 19?

Covid 19 was an unprecedented event in the world. It was historic. Kathmandu had never been silent before, even during the many nationwide strikes. The imposition of lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus made the bustling and vibrant city fall silent. People were dying due to the shortage of hospital beds and oxygen. Impoverished people and animals starved to death as a result of prolonged lockdown. Crematoriums were unable to handle the flow of dead bodies. Understanding the significance of these moments, I felt the need to document the event for future generations. Thus, I came up with the idea of this book.

While shooting during Covid 19 you have seen and covered people’s sufferings. Can you share some memorable experiences?

There are many memorable experiences that I encountered while capturing the diverse aspects of the Covid situation in Kathmandu. People walking long distances to reach their hometowns was very pathetic. Daily wage earners were heading from Kathmandu to Dang on foot along with their small kids due to the closure of transportation services. These scenes on the highway were heartbreaking. I wished I could help them but all I could do was disseminate their plight and suffering through the media hoping to garner help for their journey.

The scenes of stray dogs roaming the streets in search of food was sad. The most heartbreaking was capturing the secenes of patients unable to access oxygen and medical treatment while waiting at the hospital premises and corridors. It was happening because of the overflow of Covid patients and lack of medical supplies.

On a personal level, I had to live in constant fear and uncertainty when my pregnant wife contracted Covid. Documenting her isolation journey was both challenging and emotional.

What lessons did you learn while shooting the pandemic?

I learned many valuable lessons while documenting the pandemic. First and foremost, safety is utmost. Adhering to a health protocol is essential. I also discovered that one needs to be fearless to get into the battlefield. Maintaining strong determination and professionalism was crucial for me to achieve the desired results under such  challenging circumstances.

What is thought behind the power of the lens in telling this story?

Photography is a credible, reliable, and powerful medium to convey messages to people. It helps draw the attention of concerned authorities and influences the policies and plans of the government. For instance, in 2009, I captured pictures of a school van being vandalised by a group of protestors during a nationwide general strike. There were children inside. They were panicking and crying out of fear and terror. My camera captured those horrifying moments. Those photos were published on the front pages of national dailies, Republica and Nagarik Dainik, where I was affiliated. The widespread exposure prompted national school associations and the National Human Rights Commission to condemn the act, leading to subsequent actions and dialogue with concerned authorities.

Similarly, during Covid, Photojournalists took pictures depicting the plight of daily wage earners and stray animals starving due to loss of jobs and food shortages. The publication of these heart-breaking scenes in the newspapers and online media prompted to serve those in need.

As a self-taught photojournalist, what inspired you to pursue this career?

My interest in photography blossomed during my high school years. My attention was drawn by the captivating photographs featured in college magazines. I began studying images in newspapers and magazines such as Kantipur, Nepal magazine, and various foreign magazines. My interest in photography grew stronger as I learned more about it. During the April movement (2006) in the country, I got an opportunity to witness numerous Photojournalists capturing the historic events from the front lines. I was fascinated by their courage and work. It inspired me to pursue a career in Photo Journalism. In 2007, I embarked on my journey as a Photojournalist. I continued to enhance my skills through learning and practice. In 2019, I grabbed the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Photo Workshop in the USA. This helped me incredibly in enriching my skills in storytelling and overall aspects of Photo Journalism.

Can you tell us about winning the silver in the Asian Press Photo Contest in Singapore?

Winning the Silver Prize in the Asian Press Photo Contest held in Singapore was a significant achievement. The story behind this award revolves around the advocacy for gender equality in Nepal. Women are working towards promoting gender equality. Among them are Buddhist nuns who have undertaken roles traditionally assigned to men. One such example is their practice of Kung Fu which defies traditional monastery norms. I try to depict how nuns at the Druk Amitabha Mountain Monastery in Kathmandu are dismantling gender stereotypes to promote equality through my photo story. The story was recognised by international juries.