Her camera is not just for clicks, it’s her life, a promise to a future of fulfilment and success. Devapriya S Kaippally began her love life with the camera when she was a class seven student in Kundara. Her fascination for clicking pictures began much before that when unbeknown to her father Radhakrishna Pillai who was a photographer, Devapriya used to try out a trick or two with the lens.
One fine day, her father stumbled upon her pictures. They were quite good for so young a child. So on Vijayadashami, Radhakrishna Pillai gave his 12-year-old daughter her first camera and taught her the basics of photography. That was the beginning of a few experiments. Devapriya started seeing life through the lens of her camera. Backing her up all the way was her mother S Sasikala.
The family had a studio just behind their house and soon Devapriya turned out to be a permanent fixture behind the camera. Her first stint as a feature photographer opened up when was in class nine. She stormed a hitherto male bastion and started clicking wedding shots. The visuals were stunning. People came asking for her expertise. The young shutter-bug has by now clicked umpteen wedding photographs. She was also called in on special occasions.
Not one to be lured in by temporary attractions, the young lass is very serious about her studies. Nothing, not even her camera will induce her to be lax in academics. So for now, all camera jaunts are reserved for holidays.
The plus-two student SNSM Higher Secondary School, says her ultimate goal is to take a shot at the civil service exams. She hopes life as seen through her camera will carry her a long way in achieving her dreams.
Read: On a Roll
