The 2011 Dhanush starrer Mayakkam Enna tells about the story of a wildlife photographer who ultimately achieves success, despite the various doubts and criticisms thrown towards him.

As they say, reel life mirrors real life, at least in the life of Yoganathan Loganathan, who was recently chosen as the National Award Winner for the Sony World Photography Awards 2021.

His entry, titled 'Ray of Hope', which depicts the sun’s rays falling on a long-tailed macaque, which is also known as crab-eating macaque, at a mangrove forest in Kuala Gula, Perak, was picked as the winner in the Natural & Wildlife category of the Open competition.

According to The Star, more than 330,000 images from 53 countries were submitted to this year's awards, and over 165,000 entries were received in the Open competition category alone, from which the National Awards winner was selected.

The National Awards programme is an initiative set up by World Photography Organisation and Sony to support local photographic communities around the world.

Yoganathan, a marine biology graduate, told the daily that he was talking through the forest searching for birds or snakes to photograph on the day of the shoot, when he saw a group of macaques foraging through the mud for their last meal of the day.

As the sun went, the fantastic shot of the sun's rays falling on the monkey was captured.

Yoganathan, who aspires to be an animal welfare officer, shows his passion for animals through photography.

He would not have won the esteemed award had he listened to some of his friends who teased him for having a "strange ambition".

"Nevertheless, I have walked my own path while learning from everyone and everything that life has thrown at me along the way," he was quoted, adding that the support from his family got him going.

Yoganathan will receive Sony digital imaging equipment as the National Award winner.

The overall winners in the Student, Youth, Open and Professional competition of the Sony World Photography Awards 2021, meanwhile, will be announced on April 15 via World Photography Organisation’s digital and video platforms.

Congratulations on your win Yoganathan!

He has proven that one can never go wrong when they put in the hardwork, persevere, and follow their heart!


Source: The Star
Photo source: Facebook