HARTA, which stands for HABIB: Action for the Revival of our Traditions and Arts, is proud to present its first ever photographic exhibition, Sacred Currents by SC Shekar, one of Malaysia’s veteran and award-winning photographers.
The Sacred Currents exhibition, which is open until 2nd June 2024 at HARTA, is a long overdue document of Malaysia’s many rivers and riverine habitats, which countless generations have depended on for sustenance. Comprising 30 works in Black & White, these breathtaking images are captured from the vantage point of a helicopter, revealing the stunning beauty and intricate ecosystems of the country and her rivers.
Captured across the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak, it speaks powerfully of the incredibly fragile existence our rivers face today in our nation’s pursuit of progress. The stories behind these works foretell a bleak legacy for our children, and the generations to come, should we not take a stand today to change our attitudes and the choices we make concerning the distress these life-giving waterways are facing.
“Sacred Currents capture beautiful yet fleeting moments of Malaysia’s winding rivers, which are now threatened by pollution and our unsustainable way of life.”
HARTA Director, Mirsham Meer.
Mirsham also said: “It portrays the immense and conscious effort we need to take to protect our ecosystem for
the future, so we hope these mesmerising yet deeply meaningful photographs resonate with people as much as it does with us.”
Photography with purpose
SC Shekar’s Sacred Currents exhibition is both an ode to the majesty of these sacred rivers, as well as a clarion call for a paradigm shift in every one of us – our conscious return to values that embrace harmony with nature and a symbiotic existence.
To commemorate its launch, Sacred Currents was officiated by His Highness Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti of Negeri Sembilan in the presence of representatives from the international diplomatic corp, special guests and media.
In conjunction with the exhibition, there will also be an outreach program inviting schools in the Klang
Valley to bring their students on a study exploration of Malaysia’s many rivers. The outreach aims to
bring about awareness, educate, and inspire the next generation to understand the significance of
protecting our waterways, and to rekindle the connection between people and their rivers.
In his note, Shekar stated, ”Our treatment of rivers reflects our relationship with nature as a whole. We build structures that turn away from rivers, disregarding their significance, and allow industrial pollutants to contaminate their sacred currents.
Yet, every river holds stories of generations that relied on it for sustenance and biodiversity that flourished along its banks.
Shekar
He said, today Malaysia stands at a critical crossroads. Deforestation threatens to strip our rivers of their protective buffers, leading to soil erosion and water pollution. Industries like rare earth mining promise progress but come at the cost of poisoning our water sources.
“Indigenous communities, guardians of ancient wisdom, face extinction as their homes, cultural practices and knowledge vanish with the forests.
Why Rivers Conservation is everyone’s responsibility
Shekar also added that the consequences extend beyond human communities. Endangered wildlife, such as the majestic Malayan Tiger, faces extinction as their habitats are encroached upon.
We are disrupting the delicate balance of nature, endangering our own existence in the process. The responsibility to act lies not solely with the government but with each of us.
“Our rivers reflect our collective consciousness. We must demand change, advocate for stringent measures against deforestation and pollution, and support sustainable practices that prioritise harmony with nature. It’s a call to action, a plea for a paradigm shift towards values that honour and preserve the sanctity of our natural world,” he added.
