Shades of Color

SHAIBAL NANDI

Paddy drying processes in manual mode- A photo story

Paddy drying is the most important part of making rice from raw paddy. In rural India, poor people still follow the manual process of drying raw paddy before taking those dried paddies into a husking mill for milling. In modern times, all activities related to paddy processing are done through fully automated machines to reduce time and cost and get the finest quality of rice. However, a fully automated rice mill involves huge investment and working capital. So, we still find rice mills operated manually by engaging large quantities of laborers. These manual and/or semi-automatic rice mills are called locally ‘Chatal Mills.’ The large ground where boiled paddy is placed for drying is called ‘Chatal.’ The mechanical process of conversion of raw paddy into fine rice grain involves a few steps. At first, the paddy is cleaned so there are no foreign particles, dust, etc., in the paddy. Then washed paddy is boiled in a big pot. After the desired level of boiling, the paddy is placed into the big open, clean ground under an open sky for direct sun exposure to dry normally; it takes 2 days to dry completely in winter. It may vary in summer and depends on the variety of paddy. After drying at the desired level, it is sent to a rice mill for milling. So, it may easily be understood that manual process requires a large scale of manpower. Laborers are fully engaged in all stages of paddy processing. They place paddy into a boiler, take boiled paddy to an open space for drying, and bag and take it to rice mills. Both male and female laborers are engaged in the paddy drying process. They stay in Chatal mill premises with their families so they may be fully involved with the job during peak season. In this photo story, similar processes are followed by laborers in a manually operated rice mill (Chatal mill) in a semi-urban place in the North 24 Parganas district. Here the interestin­g fact is that laborers spread boiled paddy and run combs in it from time to time for drying evenly and quickly. These spreading and combing are done so that it automatica­lly creates different beautiful patterns on the ground. Not that laborers consciousl­y make it, but an artist has created beautiful designs with paddy.

I am an amateur photograph­er coming from a small town, Suri Birbhum. Currently, I am living in Kolkata, The City of joy. I often leave to chase my dream and passion, and I am grateful that my daughter, who stays behind alone, cooperates with me. I love traveling and seeing different places, meeting different cultures, and connecting with people through photograph­y.

I have acquired three distinctio­ns in this journey: AFIP, EFIP, and AFIAP. I have earned much National and Internatio­nal appreciati­on, including a Gold medal. Significan­t achievemen­t current year winner of Pindle India contest, Orange City Silver Jubilee Contest, Vipa Nominated 2021. My photograph has already been published on websites and magazines (1x.com, Eisomoy-the times of India, Indian photo Art Magazine, Asian Photograph­y Magazine) and many more.

I’ve always had a passion for photograph­y since childhood. My first handy camera was from my own pocket money in class 11. During that time, I used to click random pictures. I bought my first DSLR in the year 2016 and, from then on, started to seriously chase my passion. Photograph­y is like therapy to me.

I am thankful to have met Avishek Das (Photo Journalist), a friend and mentor. They guided me in this photograph­y field. He has taught me how to click Photo and how to utilize them.