Between a grave and a pyre
Story of a cremation worker
Makkela Pedda Venketesh Swarlu, a 60-year-old cremation worker, has spent over 40 years tending to the dead with deep devotion, handling Hindu and Christian cremations alike. Despite the stigma and hardships of his profession, he sees it as a sacred duty, driven by faith and responsibility. Venketesh often works through the night, even sleeping in the graveyard, surrounded by burning bodies. Financial struggles weigh on his family, yet he remains steadfast, performing final rites for those without families. His resilience in the face of adversity defines his life and work.
Process
Research
Script
Storyboarding
Illustraition and layout
For my research, I visited both his house and workplace, conducting one-on-one interviews with him and his family. I also observed the living conditions to gain deeper insights. Writing the script was a time-consuming process, as I had to organize the vast amount of information into a structured narrative. I aimed to convey his hardships in a poetic way, which required thoughtful storytelling. Once the script was finalized, storyboarding took considerable effort to decide which frames would best capture the emotions, expressions, and depth of the visuals. Afterward, I focused on selecting an illustration style, opting for a graphic narrative in two colors—brown and white—to evoke the emotional weight of the story while maintaining balance, ensuring the visuals didn't overpower the message.
Describe your image
