Dethan Punalur

Dethan Punalur was born in Muthukulam, Alappuzha District, Kerala, India, in 1954 as the son of V.K Vasu and C.K Omana. Dethan completed his schooling at the Muthukulam High School. He did his graduation in Fine Arts from the Raja Ravivarma College of Fine Arts, Mavelikkara. He now resides at Coonoor, Nilgiris, with his family and runs a studio named Dethans Studio there. His original name is V.Devadethan, He is the president of Coonoor Photo and Video Association and the patron of the Kairali Kerala Samajam. His experience in this field spans over 41 years. It started from the days of the box camera. His graduation was from the Raja Ravi Varma College of fine arts, in the field of painting and sculpture with a scholarship. Certificate course from Photo Lux institute. From there he moved into providing illustrations and cartooning for newspapers and magazines. Then moved on to photographs for cover pages for periodicals.He also worked as an artist and photographer for some firms. He then became the member with India International Photographic Council(IIPC).In the mean time also conducted exhibitions of his pictures on 32 occasions in many places. Also conducted photography classes at many photography clubs and camps.

Dethan has published one book entitled ‘Guru an Album’ containing only photographers of the great philosopher Guru Nithya Chaithanya Yathi. This philosopher who lived in Ooty until his demise in 1999. Dethan for nearly two decades followed the guru and clicked several of his rare pious moments. Selected pictures of his shots are condensed in the book. Have written more than 61 articles on photography after conducting his own experiments. Chose Nature, Wildlife, Medical, Macro and Action photography as his favourites. Currently he working on showing usual subjects in unusual visuals. He also writes on various subjects in many periodicals and has been living in Ooty for the past 38 years.

• Malayala Manorama Award
• Madras Wildlife Award
• Times of India Award
• Tourism department-Ooty Award- 4 times
• Tourism board Summer Festival Award - Ooty - Three times
• Kerala University Union Award-Three consecutive years
• Kollam Horticulture Society Award
• Kerala University College 125th anniversary competition Award
• Butterfly Art Foundation Award
• Pravasi Bhushan Award
• Top Ten Photographer Award

Profession

1. Full-time Photographer.
2. The president of Nilgiris Photographers and Videographers Association.
3. A Contributor of Getty Images from India.
4. Ooty correspondent of Photo Wide Photo magazine.
5. Special correspondent of Cinema Mangalam Weekly.
6. Patron of Kairali Assosiaton, Aravankadu.

Equipments

Canon 5D mark III, Canon 7D, Canon EOS 400 D, Canon EOS 300 D, Canon T70, Olympus OM 2, Zenith 122

Attitude to photography

Besides this being a profession for him, Photography is a part of his life, as this happens to be a highly respectable art form. This art form has its own characteristics and depth. One’s ability to use light, shadows and darkness appropriately can become a good photographer. The person should be able to understand his surroundings and should be able to react quickly to be good photographer. Besides this, should have keen observation of minute details in the surroundings. The contours of light should also be well understood. Only such people can make a view stop to look at the photo, and also be able to draw with light.

Views

1. Photography should be made a regular study course as this is a growing field with technological advances happening every day. Since photography cannot be taken away from our daily life. The government and universities should start working on this.
2. The government should also initiate setting up specialized and exclusive photography institutes in many places across the country like the ones in Pune and Adayar.

“Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world”