Back to the Bell – A Snapshot from My School Days Revisited

It’s strange how one photo can unlock a flood of memories. During our Live-in-Labs stay at Amrita Vidyalayam, Erode, I wasn’t just living in a village school—I was stepping right back into my own school days.

One afternoon, as the bell rang and children rushed out for playtime, I stood near the corridor, camera in hand, and just watched. That familiar energy—the echo of sandals on sand, the burst of laughter, the playful teasing—it all felt deeply personal. I didn’t just capture them running. I captured us, years ago.

Their joy was raw, their freedom untamed. The sight of little brown uniforms, flying shoelaces, and unfiltered happiness made me smile behind the lens. And for a brief moment, I wasn't a visitor or a volunteer—I was a school kid again, waiting for PT period, racing to be first on the field, and laughing at absolutely nothing.

Living in the school as part of our project was more than just community work. It was therapy through nostalgia. Those children didn’t just remind me of my past—they helped me re-live it.

That photo isn’t just a memory for them. It’s a mirror of what I once had—and will forever cherish.