THE KITAB | VARANASI EDITION

After having organised successful editions dedicated to the Transgender Community, Slum Communities, Women in the Himalayas and our last ‘Jaipur Edition’ was devoted to the struggle of Bhanwari Devi who is a catalyst for the implementation of Sexual-Harassment law in India. The Kitab recently presented its latest edition in the holy city of Varanasi with a special photobook exhibition dedicated to the sex-worker community.

Our first exhibition was held at the visual art faculty of Benares Hindu University followed by an exhibition organised for the slum children at Bharat Mata Mandir with the support of ‘Try To Fight Foundation’. We collaborated with Manav Gaurav Nirman Sanstha which is a non-profit development organization based in Varanasi and organised a special exhibition dedicated to the sex-worker community in Shivdaspur area. Female sex work (FSW) is an important component of HIV transmission in the concentrated epidemic in India. Our primary mission was community mobilisation and empowerment of female sex workers through powerful and impactful international photography books.

The only one of its kind in South-Asia, the four-day-long photobook festival concluded with an exhibition for young Vedic scholars organised at ‘Vedanidhi – Vedic Heritage Research Foundation’ in Varanasi region, showcasing the works of photographers from more than 16 countries. The Kitab presented photobooks on different subjects that inspire curiosity, educate, entertain, and stimulate conversation amongst the local communities.