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A candid look at life
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Fifteen-year-old Tapasi of Born into Brothels on how life hasn't changed much after the Oscar-winning documentary
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DETERMINED TO FIGHT THE ODDS Tapasi PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO
Barely 15, Tapasi has been to hell and back.
Till date, one of the eight kids from the Oscar-winning documentary Born into Brothels continues to live in Sonagachi, Kolkata's red light district, hoping that some day, she will be able to take her mother out of that neighbourhood.
She was in Chennai for a day, after Cinema Paradiso, the DVD-rental chain, invited her to launch the inspiring documentary in the city recently.
In spite of her almost famous status and the fact that her candid photographs and difficult life have inspired many around the world, Tapasi continues to live in poverty. She hasn't seen the film more than three times in three years, she says.
"I feel sad every time I see it (the documentary). No, I don't like to watch it because it reminds me of what I went through when I was small. I start crying."
Have things changed since?
"Things are better now. But the problems continue. We are still very poor and cannot afford my school fees of Rs. 150 per month," says the topper from Aritala Banga Vidyalaya.
What kind of help do you need, we ask. "Any kind. Like I said, I need money for my public school admission fees. I don't even know how much books cost. It will be good if we get help to take mummy out of that place." But didn't the largely successful and internationally acclaimed film ensure sponsors from around the world? "Sponsors come and go, once or twice a year. But that is not enough."
Despite the lack of funds, Tapasi is determined to fight the odds. "I have challenged people... that I will stay on and study. And prove that a girl can study and succeed even if she lives in a red light area," she says, when asked if she wants to study in Chennai, far away from the troubled neighbourhood. "But I do want to take my mother out of that place, to some place where nobody will point a finger at her." Does she find herself safe there? "We have identity cards, the police have our names in the file... So they won't arrest us during a raid." What do you want to grow up to be?
"I want to first be a singer-teacher, second a dance-teacher. Third, any sort of teacher and fourth, photographer."
What kind of photos does she like to click?
"Any photo which is candid... taken when people are busy with life. For example: When a man is angry or worried and lost, you take his photograph and show it to him, it instantly changes his mood... I don't like to make people pose for pictures," she says, moments after our photographer hassles her to do just that.
When did she last meet everyone who worked on the film? "January 2005. We went out together. It's been five years since we learnt photography together. We live in different places. Some live in hostels, some in the neighbourhood, we are separated now but we are still friends. We meet once in a while."
"Last, I met Monty and Mamuni in March, they live in Sabera Foundation (a residential school) along with Kochi. My sister studies there. So I go there to meet them."
"Abhijit is studying in America. Shanti and Manik live at the Future Hope Hostel and study there. Gour and Pooja live close by. I keep meeting them."
Did the filmmakers, Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, stay in touch with them? "Yes, we email Zana Aunty and Ross Uncle and they email us," she says. Ross was in Kolkata in January. "His birthday was in October but we celebrated his birthday when he was here. He took us to a hotel, decorated the place, bought us a cake, played songs on the computer, and we had a party."
What does she want to study in college? "English. I like English. I can read but conversing is a problem," she says when we encourage her to talk. She gets all shy and giggles, when someone says she can sing in English. Soon enough, she cheerfully sings "My heart will go on" from Titanic.
Tapasi has an exam the day after. She claims to have studied. So she wants to go to the beach and see the city, before she takes the train back the same night.
SUDHISH KAMATH
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