This photograph shows a group of Afghans of the Kabuliwala Community playing cricket in the Maidan area of Kolkata, India. This image was captured on 22nd July 2021, the day after Eid celebrations, as little did they know what was awaiting their fate. On the 15th of august, Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan was captured by the Taliban seizing the country under their rule. Kolkata is home to several Afghans, more popularly known as 'Kabuliwalas', which translates to "men from Kabul". The distance between Kolkata to Kabul is 2,288 km. They have been coming to Kolkata for centuries selling dry fruits, asafoetida, and carpets, they are also in the business of lending money on interest, becoming an integral part of the micro-economy of Kolkata’s working population. The Kabuliwalas have made Kolkata their new home, a city thousands of miles away from their own homeland. The Afghan community in Kolkata, India now consists of thousands of Afghans with an uncertain future, as now they are completely trapped in a foreign land, all they can now do is to pray, pray for their families and friends back home.
I was devasted when I first heard the news about the fall of Kabul, I still remember, that how cheerful those people were while playing cricket a popular game in India, as well as in Afghanistan, I couldn't even imagine what situation those people are going through due to the current situation in their country.
I have just tried to tell the story on their behalf. At the time I have taken this photograph, I was out in the streets of Kolkata, just like any other day, hunting for subjects and looking for stories, feeling the essence of the streets. The reason this particular scene attracted me was the colours! the bright colours of their garments and their sheer dedication towards the game of cricket, I even had a little chat with them, how happy they were! as it was a Sunday and the day after the Eid celebrations, hundreds of people from the Afghan community in Kolkata, gathered in the Maidan area of Kolkata, some playing cricket, some having a picnic, and some were also singing their native songs. The true essence of friendship and bonding was looked evident in them. I have tried to locate them to enquire about their current situation, but I failed to find them, and sadly I didn't even know their name too. All I wanted was to tell their stories on their behalf.
Picture: Shubhodeep Roy