A clam-collecting couple worked in quiet rhythm, embodying resilience. Their labor, though humble, held dignity and fueled their family’s livelihood. These hands of the lagoon were the backbone of their community.
I walked along the shore, following the path of rice bales bound for export. Meanwhile, my mind was still dwelling on the labor I had witnessed. Then I saw him—a lone figure unloading fresh clams from a small wooden boat. He was not alone; instead, a woman, perhaps his wife, worked alongside him with the same quiet determination. Their movements were deliberate, skillful, and synchronized—truly the hands of the lagoon.
Start early The clam gatherer begins his day at dawn, collecting his clams and returning to shore.
Curiosity seized me. The man was a clam collector in Alappuzha. His day had begun long before mine, at 3 a.m., while the world was still shrouded in darkness.I pictured him braving the cold, damp air, guided by moonlight, skillfully dredging the Alappuzha backwaters for hidden freshwater shellfish. It was a backbreaking task that required hours of patience and attention. By midday, he finally returned to shore with his catch, as the lagoon’s hands toiled on.
Toil The shellfish collector carefully cleans the shellfish caught in the lagoons.
I stepped back and watched as the couple carefully sorted the finest clams into neat piles. Meanwhile, the man’s rough hands plucked the clams from the boat, drops of water splashing rhythmically from his fingers. With each clam, he left behind years of hard work, unwavering determination, and his family’s survival. His wife sorted each clam, hands quickly and then slowly, according to their size and quality. The couple went about this work quietly, without interrupting each other, the true hands of the lagoon.
Hard Work The collector’s hands pull clams from the boat, each one a sign of his hard labor
A rhythm and purpose that struck me at that moment about how their lives were, though so different from mine, struck me as impossible to ignore. She was not helping her husband; she was his equal in this endeavor. She ensured the livelihood of her family, but like many women, her labors may not go unnoticed by the world. This was the silent strength behind the traditional clam industry.
Clams Cleaned Before sorting and selling the clams he caught in the backwaters, the clam collector meticulously cleans them.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for them. Their lives were not easy; nevertheless, there was dignity in the labor, a quiet pride in the craft. As the man carried a basket full of freshwater mussels, meanwhile, I turned my mind to how well everything was connected. Those hand-harvested clams would journey beyond the pond, feeding families and boosting the economy.
Weathered Hands Years of backwater work had left the collector’s hands corroded by salt.
I left the shore with a new perspective. Life may differ in comfort, but resilience, effort, and quiet triumph are universal. Their rhythm and purpose showcased the strength in simplicity and the beauty of honest labor—true hands of the lagoon.
Together A smiling couple poses near their workplace.
Observing the Alappuzha shellfish harvest, I felt immersed in a timeless tradition where fishing meets nature’s rhythm. The early morning silence, broken only by wooden boats gliding through the water, painted a serene yet hardworking scene.
Resilient A worker in worn clothes stares into the camera.
The dedication of these collectors was astonishing. As they stood waist-deep in the calm water, searching for wild-caught clams hidden beneath the surface, I couldn’t help but marvel at their connection to the environment. Every movement seemed purposeful, guided by knowledge passed down through generations. Watching them, I saw not just a livelihood but a tradition deeply rooted in their identity—resilient like the Alappuzha seafood trade.
As the dawn light illuminated the piles of sustainable shellfish, I thought about the effort it took to fill them. The scene was humbling and inspiring—a testament to the hard work and patience that goes into this ancient craft. On the beach, women and families sorting and grading the harvested clams added another layer to this tradition. It was more than a job; it was a community working together, with each member playing a vital role.
Gentle Touch His strong hands embrace oysters, a testament to his bond with nature.
The culinary significance of Alappuzha seafood dishes further enriched my perspective. “Dishes like Kaka Raja and Kaka Curry, rich with spices and the sea’s essence, showed me how food embodies a place’s soul.” These dishes are not just a means of subsistence; they are stories of the backwaters served on a plate. The aromas of these dishes seemed to speak of long hours of work, family gatherings, and the pride of a community steeped in its heritage and the hands of the lagoon.
Each bite felt like a tribute to the waters that nourished both people and tradition. The briny sweetness of backwater shellfish, warmed by spices, evoked bustling fish markets and clay stove smoke—a timeless link between past and present.
Shells Displayed Finally, the countless shells he painstakingly collected lay before him
Yet, I could not ignore the challenges facing this way of life. Pollution, over-harvesting, and changing market demands weigh heavily on the shoulders of these traditional collectors. It was uplifting to see efforts like seasonal restrictions and eco-friendly farming helping clam populations recover. These activities reflected a determination to preserve the balance between tradition and modern realities.
Alappuzha’s clam fishery is more than a profession—it’s a living tradition. From collecting shellfish to culinary celebrations, it reflects resilience, unity, and respect for nature. “Every dish, from Kaka Raja to A Collector’s Perspective at Work, reflects this timeless heritage and backwater economy’s harmony.” They are the true hands of the lagoon.
Copyrights: All the photos and text in this post are the copyright of Silambarasan Devendiran and Creative Hut Institute of Photography and film. Their reproduction, full or part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
