From observing a former absolutist monarchy’s transition to a federal democratic republic in Nepal, and witnessing the plight of internally displaced people in Pakistan’s military offensive against the Taliban, Zakaria was there to document events as they unfolded before his eyes.[break]
Having worked as a reporter and photojournalist in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Singapore, his images and stories have appeared in various publications.
Zainal recently photographed and created an anthology of portraits and anecdotes of retired Singapore Gurkhas as they reminisce about life in the Lion City in the 1950s.
The Gurkhas served in the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force. Established in 1949, the legacy of the Gurkha Contingent goes beyond the independence of Singapore.
After the war (WWII), including the 50s and 60s, as Singapore came closer to independence, the Gurkhas came into prominence as they played a key role in neutralizing riots – especially those that involved the Chinese and Malays.
Though famed for their bravery, loyalty and impartiality, Zainal, however, believes that not much is known about the Singapore Gurkhas. Therefore, for his project as a work in progress, he traveled to Nepal once again, and the visual raconteur tracked down, interacted and photographed many Singapore Gurkhas in Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Dharan, and Kathamandu.
Currently, there are over 2,000 retired Singapore Gurkhas scattered over Nepal and are settled mainly in these four towns and cities while some have migrated to the United States, Hong Kong, and Canada.
The Week caught up with Zainal who has tried to bring awareness, provide identity, and uncover the historical anecdotes of Old Singapore through the eyes of the Gurkhas with his planned anthology.
What got you interested in photography and how did you start off?
During my undergraduate days, I was interested in journalism and publishing, and telling stories were something I was keen to do and it was simply a matter of deciding on the medium. Personally, I feel that photography is such a visceral medium and that it can affect you in a very emotional way that no other medium can.
What would you say is more important in photography – passion, knowledge or good equipment?
Having the right knowledge and tools allow you to get the job done well. But above all, passion will help you see through challenging and difficult times. As a photographer, you have to go through a lot of hurdles and challenges to get to the bottom of a story, and passion for your work will help you stay motivated despite it all.
Which genre of photography interests you the most and why?
I am mainly interested in documentary and portraiture work as I enjoy talking to people and listening to their stories. It’s really rewarding when you get to tell their stories well, either in print, photographs or video.
Would you say photography is a hard line of work to get into?
I would say it’s definitely not easy but if you’re willing to work hard, then it’s a very gratifying job. Working as a photographer involves a bit of craft and a lot of business. You have to be willing to give it your all.
Do you think the influx of digital cameras will lead to fewer professional photography jobs? Such as with smaller newspapers, it appears that more reporters are taking photographs instead of designated staff photographers?
I think the influx of digital cameras has democratized photography and image-making to the masses. Now it’s become all the more critical for photographers to understand and work better on the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of using their cameras to tell stories. Actually, it’s not so much due to the influx of digital cameras but more because of the journalism business suffering due to declining circulation and lack of advertising revenue which results in the lack of designated staff photographers in the newsroom.
Since you write as well, do you think it’s easier to tell a story through pictures rather than words?
Both are equally difficult and come with a fair share of advantages as well as limitations. So I’ll choose the most appropriate one that can give a vivid picture to the story and convey the message clearly.
What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?
Forget and don’t be so obsessed about being a photographer. Instead, work on your softer skills like connecting with people and getting them to share their stories.
Coming to the specific subject at hand, do tell us about your fascination with the Gurkhas. What drew you to tell their stories, and how was the experience?
What drew me to this story was due to how very little we knew about them in Singapore. This includes stories of the lives they led inside their camp, their memories of those times and the history of Singapore through their eyes.
The experience of meeting the ex-Gurkhas was amazing. It felt as though I had never left Singapore because they had such an intimate knowledge of the country. Their memories of the 1964 racial riots in Singapore between the main ethnic races, the Malays and the Chinese, were fascinating, to say the least. It was an important chapter in Singapore’s history and they were witness to that event.
What plans do you have for your Gurkha story?
I hope I can take their stories to other places that have the Gurkha tradition — like the UK, Hong Kong and Brunei. That will be a wonderful way to have the Gurkhas worldwide share their experience and tell their own stories, too.
Zainal’s exhibition and book launch is scheduled for Friday (today),
November 2 at 5 pm at Nepal Art Council, and the exhibition will continue till November 5 from 12 pm to 7 pm.
Related story
Wildlife photographer Chungba Sherpa passes away
