2 days ago
Nellore school headmaster's passion for photography grabs him global accolades
Ahead of World Photography Day on August 19 (Tuesday), K. Surya Prakasa Rao, headmaster of Zilla Parishad High School at Mogilicherla village of Linga Samudram mandal in SPSR Nellore district, received the 'Tribal Photo of the Year' award in Vijayawada on Monday.
The 60-year-old received the award for his photos displayed during a national level photo exhibition organised by Andhra Pradesh State Creativity and Culture Commission in collaboration with India International Photographic Council (IIPC) and Photography Academy of India (PAI).
Mr. Prakasa Rao had ventured into fine-art photography just two years ago, but still bagged 68 gold medals and 130 recognitions during the last couple of years. He won his first gold medal from Youth Photography Society in Bengaluru for a photo of Kommu Koya tribal dance.
'Though photography had been a passion since my childhood, my photos confined to my friends and family members during school excursions and tours. However, this gold medal in December 2023 inspired me to take part in several other photography competitions,' Mr. Prakasha Rao said.
'With the encouragement of my friends, I participated in photography contests all over the world and received at least one award in every competition,' Mr. Prakasha Rao said, adding that he has achieved more than 10 awards in a month.
His achievements include the 'Excellence in Federation of Indian Photography (EFIP)' from Federation of Indian Photography (FIP), and recognition from International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), Kumanovo Photo Salon from North Macedonia and Nicosia Photographic Society.
He also was a jury member for two events of Photography Society of America (PSA). Meanwhile, Mr. Prakasha Rao aspires to achieve 'Associate of The Royal Photographic Society (ARPS)' distinction from the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).
His passion for photography never burdened his original profession. He had been given District Best Principal Award (Prakasam) in 2018 and District Best Principal Award (Nellore) in 2022.
