Acid attack survivors' 'sacred transformations'

Delhi based Photographer Niraj Gera is presenting a solo exhibition titled – 'Sacred Transformations' based on the journey of acid attack survivors. The photographs will take us through some of the major emotional stages in the lives of the women who were the targets of one of the most dreaded forms of violence meted out to women in today's society – acid attacks.

The photo series, which has been honoured and awarded in some of the prestigious International Photography competitions, shows them transforming from devastation to confidence and from wreckage to happiness. Gera, captures the journey of difficulties which they have faced as women, a journey of their emotions from the time of the attack to the time they survived, a journey of their evolution and transformation. The series also brings forth the element of gender discrimination and societal conditioning like suppression and restrictions which have facilitated in making women more vulnerable to such evil acts. The photographer is showing 36 photographs.

Shocking and inspiring stories unfold through Gera's photographs, like that of Laxmi, who is also the face of the acid attack campaign – Stop acid attacks. She was attacked at the age of 15, by a man of 32. Some other stories cover a mother and her daughter; Geeta and Neetu, who were attacked by Geeta's husband who mercilessly poured acid on his own wife and daughter. Gera's first interaction with the survivors was at a protest march held at the Jantar Mantar in the year 2014.

Niraj says, "This series is probably the first of its kind. Through this exhibition, I intend to make their presence felt in the mainstream and society. The exhibition is an attempt to bring about awareness about the deathly trauma they go through so as to make the society more sensitive towards this issue and the survivors." While he expresses a strong condemnation for such evil acts he also believes that "we cannot lose hope and even the worst of tragedy, come what may, cannot devoid you of your happiness".