Some instances in life, especially in our childhood can leave a significant mark on us, who we are, and the path we choose. It shapes our identity and purpose, especially when it is a painful incident. Battling it and overcoming it with resilience becomes the true testament of life. And this is one such story of a young girl – Pathma Priya – who refused to let her scars dictate her story. Instead, she carved an identity driven by her passion and self-reliant personality to become a successful photographer at 19!
Looking back at Pathma Priya’s Journey
13 years ago, a casual evening in Cherai became a nightmare for a 6-year-old with a life-altering incident. A stray dog attack left her with a loss of vision in her right eye. The pain and social stigma that followed made her fight her battle to the fullest power.
But, she wasn’t ready to lose her identity to the tag of ‘the girl who got mauled by a stray dog’. Instead she carved her own path and opened another door of vision with her third eye – the camera – to turn moments into memories. She rewrote her story the way she wanted it to be said, the identity that resonated with her the most – ‘Pathma Priya, The Photographer from Cherai‘.
Fast-forward to today. Pathma Priya is 19, a passionate and busy Photographer, a BCom student, and a kind human who makes people marvel at her approach to life!
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“If you ask my friends or close ones, they would tell you that I am like a freedom fighter, but if you ask me, I am very much adapted to the person I am today, I do not think of this as a big deal, aren’t we all like that? We do not think of ourselves too much, isn’t it? But when others say, I feel so too… My identity as a photographer gained me a name but people in my hometown still see me as the kid who got attacked by a stray dog and accepted me as an independent photographer. I do not like it and this way I thought I could change their perspective”, says Pathma Priya when asked who she is at her core.
Overcoming Fear and Stigma
The incident has impacted Pathma Priya’s life to a huge degree, but how it shaped her was her choice because she was not ready to succumb to the stigma that followed. Pathma Priya was strong and resilient even at the age of 6, she was focused on the fact that she was still alive after the attack and decided to move forward.
“There is a purpose to why you ask me about the incident, and I am comfortable that way to respond to it, but to people who ask it, intruding on my personal space, is not okay by me. Some ask me with sympathy and others have weird reactions, these emotionally weigh me down and I do not encourage it. Also, the social stigma that existed in society back then is high, compared to now”, she says.
Like the lack of social awareness and stigmatisation that still exists today, even the place where Pathma Priya faced that horrible ordeal stays the same. “I do not go to that area anymore, it scares me…Those areas are still the same, there was no proper space in the 4-meter road or even a proper fence there, it is still the same even now”, she added.
“I lied for a long period stating I had my vision alright because I was scared that I had to wear plastic eyes like the one I heard in a story as a child”, she mentions. The stigma she faced right from the day of the attack has been her fuel to move forward and prove everyone wrong.
“I face eye strain from looking at the system for too long. But that’ i’s not just my problem. Anyone who looks at the system for too long faces this. My other eye has no problem and even if it has a problem, I can use specs for that and solve the issue. This is how I think now, but it is the others who are concerned about me. They are more concerned about who will marry me when I am not even thinking about all of that!”, she casually mentions the society’s grey face.
Pathma Priya, the Photographer
Pathma Priya’s entry into the field of photography was a very casual calling. “My dream was to be a pilot, especially when I was in 8th grade. I thought it was so cool to be one as I liked to travel, I was told that it needed provinces in multiple languages for which I was ready. My teachers were also supportive initially, but as I grew up, I understood the barriers that I had to face in physical tests, and then everyone asked me to pursue other options too. Later I left it and started to consider other options. First, I researched for a couple of days about the fields I can shine bright with vision not being a barrier. I was not interested in anything particular…. I have thought about teaching, even considered the medical field to be an anaesthesia specialist”, she says talking about her ambitions.
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“Parallelly, I was trying my hand at photography by renting a camera, and one day I was asked to look through the viewfinder with one eye closed for better precision…when everyone else looked through it closing their one eye, I did it without closing one. That is when I realised this could be a path god has carved out for me,” she continues, talking about her entry to the world of clicks.
Pathma Priya slowly started taking pictures and uploading them on social media, capturing moments and people’s attention to her talent.
“I started my journey with a rented camera. People also began approaching me, asking if I could click pictures for them. Something about the process drew me in, and there was no stress or severe pressure that came with it. I found myself genuinely enjoying each work, approaching it as a new experience and a chance to meet new people and see new places. The curiosity to work on new things kept increasing and I realised that not many professions could offer me this kind of contentment. That is how I came into the field,” she said.
Battling barriers, click by click
The barriers Pathma Priya faced varied. “Initially since I used the rented camera for work, my profits were modest; only 100-200 rupees. I did not get into this field by assisting anyone or learning from a mentor, I entered with only basic knowledge, initially, I was unfamiliar with camera angles, lighting, and suitable settings. There were no Malayalam channels or tutorials that explained these principles at the time. I learnt everything on my own”, says Pathma Priya.
In September 2023, she landed her first wedding work. It took place in Guruvayur as she desired. This eventually led to her first venture Tortoise Wedding Company, which is currently operating profitably with one to two weddings every month. She recalls how compliments from older people in the wedding, which were extremely sincere and kind, made her happy.
Pathma Priya’s Support System
“With the rental camera, I was not able to learn better or make more money, so I asked my family to get me a camera. My mother gave her ‘Thaali’ as the initial investment for my first camera, which I returned to her once I started getting work.”, Pathma Priya said. She went on to talk about how her family has been her bedrock of support stating, “When I started my journey, I was a teenager, and I had to go at odd times or return home late at night. At first, they did not think I was doing much more than covering local events like Christmas and Onam; they did not think I would land on wedding work and succeed.”
Pathma Priya is currently a student at an aided college, completing her education. Her friends and classmates are her greatest supporters, showing her kindness and encouragement when she gets busy with her passion.
Talking about how things are with extended family, she says, “Amma initially favoured a 9-5 job over photography because she is always anxious and has been pushed to feel that way by others. Some of my family members and localities that previously criticised my choice. They now say that this is the best option and that I should pursue this as a career. How people can change like that is beyond me! To the same people’s advice regarding my future and marriage by asking questions like ‘Is it possible for me to work at night?’ and ‘Is it possible after marriage?’, my mom now says: let her live her way when the time comes, we will think about it.”
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From giving her emotional support to helping her throughout her career journey, her family stood as her rock, beyond the societal barriers. “My parents are very supportive; without them, I would not be in the position that I am in now. Whereas the people in my hometown are not even aware that I am a photographer; they still think of me as the girl who got attacked.”, she added.
Looking Forward, a Future in Focus!
“I want to create a workspace of my own by 2030, a studio-like space with a team. And I would like to pursue photography for my life ahead”, she confidently mentioned along with her plans to pursue higher studies.
For those who feel stuck, Pathma Priya’s story serves as a powerful reminder to keep going no matter what obstacles stand in the way of your dreams. Her life serves as a testament to her philosophy: “Leap outside of your comfort zone, don’t obsess over the idea that this is who I am and this is how I will be, we are only here for a few days, so explore life and do what you love. That is the greatest blessing in life”, says Pathma Priya.
“Consider every challenge life presents as a blessing. Sure, I lost my eyesight in one eye, but that is precisely why I am speaking to you and appearing in the media. There is a reason why that occurred, and perhaps that reason had a purpose. And move forward, though it is not always easy. If you try, you can think this way when you are in a difficult situation. I tend to overthink things, but life is full of ups and downs; how you handle them is what matters most”, she added.
When asked about how she wanted to be remembered, she said: “As a successful female entrepreneur. Yes, of course, my struggle is part of my life, but I can say that my narrative is not simply about a person who survived but rather should be about my work”.
Today, she has about 17–20 weddings under her belt. And each photograph she takes is a reminder that for a person who is brave enough to believe in themselves, no scars from the past can stop them.
Beyond a news article that was published thirteen years ago or criticism that cast doubt on her abilities, her narrative continues to be told via her photographs, her life, and her undying will to dream big!
