Ep 09: Colonial Frames: Visual Narratives from the High Ranges of Kerala with KP Jayakumar

What do colonial-era photographs tell us about identity and power in Kerala’s High Ranges? Scholar and writer KP Jayakumar engages with Pranav Sethuratnam, Senior Project Associate: Archives at IFA. They speak about his IFA-supported research that examines the visual legacy of European photographers in the region, with a focus on hunting imagery and its lasting impact. Drawing from archives, travelogues, and field visits, Jayakumar reflects on how these photographs contributed to colonial stereotypes and continue to shape postcolonial nostalgia. The conversation delves into the politics of representation, the framing of indigenous cultures, and the enduring power of images in shaping cultural memory.

This episode is in Malayalam.