Appa and Photography

By Lungmying Lepcha 

Often I wondered

why I was so drawn to making pictures

despite knowing that 

they would rarely meet the standards

of good photography,

a nagging call urged me on 

until it hit me,

it was a gene from Appa

passed down to the eldest daughter 

who was not able to generate 

images from this gift.

back home, scrolling through Appa’s gallery 

I - find photographs

from various times and places,  

this makes me pause

did this event even take place?

and when was this picture made?

he used to be the one 

to hold the rush out of the folks who 

were on their own ways 

and ask them to pose 

at least for some minutes

so that he could photograph 

and show us later in the future, 

even my Anue once stated

“Aku Maila always says, 

we must photograph 

every family gathering

for it might not occur again

and I solemnly agree”

capturing those mundane moments 

which for him was a 

treasure Trove-an archive for the future

meant to be returned, time and again 

he has been repeatedly telling me to 

write an article on organic tea 

one we obtain from a wild herb 

for he has those pictures too 

I see a child in him 

who is fond of photography 

yet his past circumstances meant

his camera is dedicated only

to his mundane life

of work 

family 

events 

and 

places .

Lungmying Lepcha is a B.Tech student at NIT Sikkim who believes she can draw literary works from her culture and translate them into English to share them with the world. The Lepchas are an indigenous Himalayan tribe in Sikkim, known as the first original inhabitants. Lungmying’s writings are largely ethnographic, revolving around the myths and culture of the Lepchas. She uses mostly poetry and creative nonfiction forms of writing.

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