PETTIMUDI: This is Priyadarshini (in photo) who had posed for Kerala Kaumudi photographer Babu Surya during his professional trip to Pettimudi. It was on the New Year (2020) when he had gone there along with the media team that accompanied Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.

Seven months later, this second standard girl student just remains a memory, captured in a frame. The destructive landslide of Pettimudi didn’t spare this innocent child. It also didn’t spare her father Pratheeesh, mother Kasthuri or sister Kanishka. The only one in her family who could be rescued was her aunty Palani Amma.

Actually Babu Surya had chanced upon her who was giving childish talks standing in front of a Kolan drawn by her mother.
When asked about the drawing Priyadarshini replied: Isn’t it New Year. Kolam is drawn to bring good to all….

Now the topography and demography of Pettimudi have changed. Many still remain trapped under piles of debris that cover the place, where a few days ago existed the primitive colony of plantation workers.

And for the photographer, Priyadashini remains a distraught memory and the focus of that memory is soaked in tears.