I started this project after seeing a photograph of chitra.I wanted to meet her,share how i felt and wanted to help her financially for her operation.However,When i went to meet her,her mother asked me to leave immediately as I was not the first one to take photos of her and make promises of help.It took me hours to convince her and meet chitra.I now have a friend from sivakasi and a reason to do a story on the life in the factories of sivakasi.
For the past 3 months, I have been documenting the life of workers of Sivakasi Crackers Factories. On Sep 5, 2012 when I heard about the fire accident, in which around 30 people were killed and many injured, I had to go there immediately to document the horrible plight there. Fortunately, for me, Arun Titan came with me to document the incident. This is the first time in my life I found myself in a mortuary with many dead bodies around me and also they all were very much disfigured. I experienced shivers and found it difficult to get even a single steady shot. Had I gone alone without him, I would’ve been very difficult for me.
Sivakasi is a town in Virudhunagar District in the Indian State of Tamilnadu and is the capital of India’s Fireworks Industry. It was called by the Jawaharlal Nehru as Little Japan. There are around 800 fireworks factory in Sivakasi as per the records. It is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The major production of crackers is for the Hindu Festival Diwali which is celebrated by bursting crackers to drive out evil. Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana.
Sivakasi experiences very less rainfall and the land is not very fertile for agriculture. Working in fireworks factory is the major job of the people over there. The children who lose their parents in fire accidents take the same job and this continues as vicious circle. Nearly, 10000 people are directly or indirectly dependent on the manufacturing and sale of fireworks. Every year around 150 people gets injured in fire accidents and many get killed. Lack of proper safety precaution and overloading the workers with tight deadlines are one of the main reasons for such accidents. There are several human rights violations and violations of law passed by Indian Government in this industry. The accident which occurred on Sep 5th 2012 is one of the major accidents in past years. Around 53 died in the accident and many were injured.
This is my effort to document the working condition of the people in Fireworks Factory and the accident that shook Tamilnadu in the recent times. Hope these factories become a safer place to work and the people living in the cities realise that there are lives behind these fire crackers.
Note: As there are lots of misinterpretations I am making this clear,this documentary is not about fireworks industry,not about celebrating Diwali and I strongly condemn turning it into political.This is just an attempt to emphasize that factories in sivakasi should be made a safer place to work.
******Contains disturbing content******
He got severe burns when the accident took place while he was disposing the waste from factory.The accident took place as the bullock cart carrying the waste from factory caught fire due to friction on 2nd August 2012
Fireworks industries gives contracts to the villages for making roll caps,sticking the materials where a large number of children work at homes after coming from school.
This is one of the most dangerous substance used to manufacture fireworks.
He suffered head injury when he went inside the factory to rescue people.He is now serious condition and experienced shock like this every 5 minutes
He lost his child Aravaindhan, when the accident took place at his home.The lighted candle accidently fell on the threads used in fire crackers.Aravindan was burnt to death.The paint on his nails signify that he has changed his job.
She suffered burns all over the body and is one of the survivor of accident which took place 5 years back.
Excellent Balaji
Sad to see , beautifully documented !! Keep it up
Very disturbing. Dont know whether to appreciate you for this commendable work, or be upset over the story behind these pictures ! 3 months ? Did you spend 3 months in Sivakasi ?
It took 3 months to gain contacts and research about the industry.Get the list of people killed.Approach the Ngo,get their permission.Get the permission of factory.Find their houses.Just 3 days to shoot.
superb work. send it out to get published.
Great work Balaji. Excellent photo-coverage. It’s sad to see & read about the accident though.
Is it possible for you to create a write up / guide and take us through the process of planning, taking permissions. What part did the ngo play & then about the photographs and how have you worked with the people. Appreciate it. Keep up the good work
Good work, Appreciate your efforts. Hope the menace comes to an end one day…
Respect for your work here Balaji . Neva knew tat dis much amnt f hurt n pain r goes thru fr makin smethin tat s jus a matter f fun fr al f us . Salute to u n to the ppl !!
Excellent series Balaji .. It shows the hard work you’ve put off visiting Sivakasi multiple times and covering the story .. I suppose many of the hospital shots were blind shots where composition takes a hit .. but it coveys the story to the point .. very well done ..
Balaji.. Thanks for the pics.. The story unfolds itself
This is saddening to the core.. I stopped buying fireworks since long but this accident pics help in showing the world what is the truth behind those crackers.
Hi Balaji,
This is very good work. Don’t ever stop, keep clicking, keep documenting. The people require such knowledge!
Cheers,
Sudhir
Excellent documentary.
Very Very disturbing!
Gosh…! Really brought tears to my eyes.
I stopped burning fireworks cause of pollution reason, now I have more reasons to stay firm on my decision and for telling others to open their eyes too. Thank you so much
speechless! this is an excellent documentary work.
My god ,i hav made up my mind to refrain from lighting cracker on diwali-let us all take the first initiative
Thanks for a lot sharing the pics and story…..really feel sad for these people..hope government employees these people in other jobs
Excellent work Balaji, Sema da,
No words can reward your hard work!
This photo series not only takes you to the top but also our society. Keep going da:)
You missed kumbakonam children. After all, people working in this place knows the risk.
This should be published. where are the Big Shots giving away lectures on TV when these poor people are going through this shit everyday.
Dude appreciate and respect your work here. keep it up. And may God help these people.
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heart touching photography….
Job Well Done.
Machi.. Hats off!!!! Very powerful document at the right time. lets pray for them for thier future..
Good work. These type of views are not yet shown in TV Channels.
Powerfull photos. Thanks for sharing and letting us know the damage caused for the people in sivakasi.
Well Done Balaji ! Make this as a bigger campaign to them a safer place to work!
a powerful documentry! we pray for them ! they should get a safer work place soon.. the fire factory Workplace have some design strategy which is designed 40-50 years before they should be revisted and should have some serious rules in such factories!
Good
Dear Balaji,
My heart is heavy now after i went through this collection of pictures.. Sad to see the situation to fellow tamil people in Sivakasi.. Neatly documented. Thanks for the effort you have put in..
Thanks Balaji.
Dear BalajiCongratulations for throwing a big stone in the hornet’s nest this time.,You have highlighted a problem no doubt. This problem exists because the industrialists of this so called mini Japan do not want to learn the lessons every time an explosion or fire happens there. If the causes of these accidents are looked into to eliminate such tragedies, these accidents are almost totally avoidable. I read in the beginning of your report that a worker carrying explosive waste suffered an injury when the bullock cart caught fire.Now I remember that in the explosive section of a factory I visited in 1963 at Gomia, Bihar, the equipments handling and carrying explosives- even wastes were avoiding the use of iron naile, iron tools, implements etc because iron struck with iron will produce sparks for ignition. I am sure that the chief minister who can give Rs2lakh to a worker dying in an accident of Shiva kasi will not spend Rs 1 lakh for getting nonsparking tools for these photographed workers.
Prevention is better than cure but providing for prevention will not bring votes for the politicians who just distribute money collected from the tax payer’s pocket to provide just instant relief to victims.
If you refer to the Indian Express report, you will note that the mortality figures provided in the recent explosion and also for last 15-16 years was much less than your figures. I can only say that the figures should be reliable when you present the report. Further, if this is vastly different from that reported by national media, then the difference should have been explained.
Accidents are avoidable.Death of even 1person in an accident is as serious as the loss of 40-50lives for the simple reason that human life is priceless.
I would look forward to more such reports that need attention of both the policy makers as well as the common man.
Its so sad that people have to risk their lives to earn their livelihood. I know its naive to think this but why couldn’t there be enough for all in this world so that some people didn’t live in misery like this while others relaxed in the safe havens of their homes.
They say a picture tells a thousand words…yours do much much more, balaji…just one thing: a lot of people in their comments have said “great work, keep it up” and then put a nice, laughing smiley at the end, or said a thumbs up, or cheers….cant see how such disturbing pictures can evoke a laughing smiley….it’s like “liking” something sad, gross and inhuman on facebook…but with the huge investments needed to modernise and clean up the firecracker factories and industry, i wonder how many more such accidents before anyone takes note? Do our lawmakers in Parliament, who are now pushing for reservation in promotions payment to housewives in cities, even know of the extent of such accidents…..???
don’t repeat this again
A Great dedicated documentation. This depicts the basic question, do v have to celebrate the yearly Festival of Lights with the Crackers.Let us do away with Crackers. Also, does such accidents take place in Factories abroad ?
My empathies with everyone. I see everyone else empathising too…but I hope something positive comes out of this.
I hope industries understand that worker safety is of paramount importance and it needs to take all possible steps to ensure that is preserved. They may be getting old, but they are fuelling millions of rupees into the economy and into your coffers. Time employers understood that, respected it, and acted on it.
Shocked to see all this…sometimes when the reality comes in front, it haunts the soul. I experience regret and great remorse for the people who suffered loss in this tragedy.
Awesome Narration of story……!!!
@balaji , it is due to such work like yours ,do people come to know behind the scenes and take appropriate decisions (whether to use firecrackers during festivals). Also cannot understand why people risk their lives in death threatening professions like these.
Balaji..As always a great work..Shocked to see your documentation..Feel very sad about the workers and the people who suffer constantly losing their kins.
balaji. Regards from Brasil.
Was really amazed and shocked to see the critical conditions of workers…good work Balaji…By making the people show behind the scene of these fireworks factories…
Balaji.. Feelings are beyond words.. Hope things become better for them..
@logesh. Your comment Dont Repeat this again is addressed to whom ? to the Author or to the Almighty ?
after going this documentary, let us all vow not to buy and discourage buying crackers and instead donate the earmarked amount to the dedicated account of the victims or to a NGO who works for such victims.
This is indeed an eye opener!! The pictures speak for themselves. Such brutality in disguise..
Dear Sir, I appreciate the manner in which you have brought out the ghastly impression that this source of livelihood brings. It leaves one, scarred for life.
What continues to remain unchanged is the circle of poverty in which they are entangled. Whether the cracker industry closes down or not, these people will continue to remain at the suffering end. The question that still lies unanswered is, ” What’s the way out”
plz wish and help the victims. Make sure it wont happen again.
This is very painful.. Thanks for your effort of bringing this suffering into light.. World started realising dangerous things, but long way to go.. Until then, will paying heavy prices end?
Awesome cover-up, it shows the in-humane condition they are working in, which is always open to any incident as there is no fire safety measures seen around in any pic. I think they don’t even have any fire safety standards. One thing is clear that people over there work in worst condition and no one is there to keep a check on it or the officials are sleeping in there safe home. Making fire-cracker is a livelihood, I think it goes down from generation to generation ( not in terms with immediate death n all) , the skill, the knowledge. Anyways, what I wanted to tell is that, this shows how the state government is serious about maintaining it small scale industries. It’s the job of the concerned government to make sure that these units run with proper safety standards, and seriously do you think industries follow rules, they cut profits if the govt is not strict with safety measures. for which the labor has to pay. I hope this will make govt take some action and lay down strict rules or make regular crack downs on their manufacturing unit. so, that they follow the safety standards.
very very disturbing…..painful incident….let us all pray for the affected…..good work balaji……pls share so that all know about this
WONDERFUL WORK BALAJI. GOVERMENT MUST INTRODUCE COMPULSARY SAFETY MEASURES IN FACTORY. BUT ABOVE ALL
PEOPLE MINDSET SHOULD CHANGE
These pictures speak volumes about the sufferings of the many. I never saw any reason to burst crackers on Diwali, now I don’t see any reason to even celebrate it. I cant term these as “beautiful pictures”, but they do speak truthfully.
Thank you so much Balaji, I have a high degree of respect for photojournalists like yourself.
This is very painful.. Thanks for your effort of bringing this suffering into light..pls share so that all know about this truth
A valor effort Balaji.. No words.. Hats off!
un pathagaluku nan thali vanukugeran
wonderful work balaji, this message should reach out to all people. Kindly get it published.
Great work! Unfortunately as we all know, little can be done. There is a ‘this is not my responsibility’ feeling from top to bottom, Each time an accident happens enough and more is said and probes and commissions set up. I am definitely sure the reports call for a lot of changes and suggestions to improve working conditions but it all remains on paper. Just doling out money to the victims cannot absolve one of responsibility. For eg,. fire crackers are used at all political gatherings and functions in a very big way. Isn’t it the moral and ethical duty of party leaders concerned to condemn usage of crackers and set an example for workers to follow. Where there is a will, surely there is a way! For our part, we can completely stay away from using them and advice friends and families likewise. Little children if informed the right way about the dangers and hazards, will surely understand the seriousness of the matter.
Disturbing ;(
But its really great work by you, hats off for the support.
hey man u are a real photographer hats off to Your talent..!!!!!!! each of these photos says a sad story behind sivakasi cracker industry..!!!!! lovely awesome wonderful fantastic..!!! and i wanna search some more words in dictionary to praise your talent.,..!
But its not only the cracker industry that has this hazards even the mobile industry the mining ,jewellery have rough conditions for the workers and we only enjoy the glamour of the end result. It’s high time we automate menial work !
so sad to see that all our joy at lighting a cracker is at a very big cost of so many kids and familes .painful to see l but hats off to the photographs in support.
very good collection balaji
it just shows how much effort they put to get firework manufactured,
need to improve work enivironment .and working standards
i am visiting your blog for the first time, your skills bewitched me. This story of Sivakasi brought tears in my eyes.Great work and good documentary. I hope this place becomes a safe place to work very soon . Social media and social network sites should help in promoting the news and make sure it reaches the decision makers. Thanks for bringing out the story.
Such a sad state depicted via some intense clicks. Great work!
Good documentary photography. But I feel the disturbing photographs are unwarranted.
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ufff… Seriously damn guts to click this anyways all these are powerful shots!!