Soumayan’s photo feature offers a new way on how we see things. His work sheds light on how the world looks for those who do not have the gift of sight, one of the vital sensory organs that we happily take for granted. Through this story, he follows children in a school for the visually impaired. His work resonates a glimpse inside their world where they navigate through memory, touch, and sound. There is a rhythm that lies in their movement guided by awareness and practice. With each photograph, he reveals that seeing is not limited to vision. It is also about presence. Soumayan’s photographs reflect a quiet strength – it also reflects the utmost attention, focus and determination. He recalls, “I saw a student confidently walk through a corridor, counting steps softly under his breath. There were no guiding rails in that section, no assistance — only memory and awareness”. When asked how he managed, the child simply replied that he could “feel the space.” This story is more than a Documentation. It reminds us of human awareness – our true sight does not lie in our eyes, it ‘lives’ in our consciousness.
Only complete focus on what is in front of them. Soumayan captures these moments closely through repeated visits to the school. This makes the story feel personal, allowing the audience to simply see the children as they are. One moment stays with him. He recalls, “I saw a student confidently walk through a corridor, counting steps softly under his breath. There were no guiding rails in that section, no assistance — only memory and awareness”. When asked how he managed, the child simply replied that he could “feel the space.” This story reminds us that awareness can heighten our experiences when one sense is absent. These children show us what it looks like to live with attention. This photo feature does more than document. It showcases that true sight is not only about what we look at, but how deeply we learn to notice.
