Sanjay Mathrani Interview BS

Introduction is too long,  should have summerised in 4-5 lines 

Do not put number  on questions

Interview of Manoj Genani : his eye catching journey in photojournalism

By Sanjay Mathrani (2K16-MC-151)

Introduction:

Manoj doing photography and telling visual stories by camera largely based on culture, portraits and geography and positive stories from the Sindh-Pakistan. He has developed more than 20 video documentaries in Thar region. 

Recently in May 2017, his two photographs were exhibited at UNDP Asia Pacific Photography Competition which held at Bangkok, Thailand, and came in top 10 ranking among 100 plus photographers from Asia.

His short documentary “Ancient Thar” on water issue of Thar won category of Water & Energy at 60 Seconds International Film Festival 2014.

One of best work he did for “Karachi Stories” project by Scottish Documentary Institute, British Council and SZABIST Karachi in 2015.

Currently he is doing feature stories for Dawn News Paper and bringing positive stories and things which are happening around in Sindh province.

1. Describe the journey of Photojournalism in your life and what pushed you do this?

Manoj: I was a back bencher during my intermediate class in Government Muslim Science College Hyderabad, was doing pre-engineering, and mathematics, chemistry and physics weren’t my cup of team, so it was a miracle for me to complete the intermediate.

After intermediate, I came back home again and started learning photography on a photo studio at Sinjhoro, I was doing portraits of students for exams forms and covered wedding events.

One of my friends helped me to generate income at studio so that I could get admission in a University.

2. Most of the time people remain in wait for your feature story, what is the reason behind it?

Manoj: I am unable to respond this question, but the reason may be positive stories which I am trying to bring up, and candid photographs of people

3. So, you have explored the artistic life style of Thari people, is it possible to share something about your experience?

Manoj: After completion of graduation from the University of Sindh Jamshoro, I got employed in Tharparkar. I saw the desert, people living in dunes, birds chirping, and found eternal peace.

Exploring the unique geography, lifestyle of Thari people, and their untold stories enforced me to capture and visualize them through the camera. So I walked with farmers, spend time with people of Thar, awakened nights to star gazing, ultimately that made me enthusiastic and fond to stay more in desert. 

4. What is your least favorite story you have covered?

Manoj: Hamarcho, is one of the story which I felt as a difficult task, writing folk is the toughest job for me, but that was most romantic, and engaging story I ever done. That was purely based on realities about how Thari people unite on a cause after rain showers to help each other, and sing to pray for prosperity in the region.

5. So being a photo journalist, creative approached and multidimensional man have you ever faced hurdles in this career, or any surprising incident?

Manoj: I am doing stories on culture and brining positive things happening around, so there isn’t any threat I found doing these stories, but always got a positive response on it.

But I am curious to document every aspect of Thari life so using camera in deep desert is always a threat, like a part of Thar Nangar Parkar, no one can carry camera to explore beauty hidden in Karonjhar Mountains.

6.  Any suggestion or advice that you would like to give for growing Journalists?

Manoj: Let’s find out positive things happening around us and promote optimism within country, uplifting generation and youth hailing from such areas especially from desert range have to enhance such sites and places, in this way our role can be counted as a accountable.