Documenting the hands behind the Keeladi excavations

Artist V. Saranraj spent a year in Keeladi, photographing the workers involved in measuring and digging the site, and collecting and cleaning historical artefacts

The archaeological excavations at Keeladi in Sivaganga district have brought to light the existence of urbanisation in the Vaigai river valley as early as 6th century BCE. Now, an artist has documented the lives and work of the men and women who have been involved the excavation work at the historical site.

Titled ‘Keeladi,’ artist V. Saranraj’s photographs, which are displayed as part of the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) Edition-III at the Roja Muthiah Research Library at Taramani in Chennai, have visually documented the role of these workers in the excavation and the steps involved in the process before historical artefacts were finally presented.