It was 6.30 am when I reached Vellayil Fish Harbour in Kozhikode. The harbour was quiet. The fishermen were getting ready to leave for the sea. This was the part of fishing that is usually unseen. Nets were opened, checked and repaired from the damage of the previous trip. They worked together, sitting in small groups.

Most of them wore jerseys printed with the names of their clubs or boats such as Kadalinte Makkal and Devi Geetham. The way they moved and spoke showed a familiar routine that happens every morning before the boats leave.

During the time I was photographing, one fisherman told another, pointing at me, “Let him take, let people know our hardships and efforts.” That one line made the purpose of documenting this work clear to me.

The harbour has recently been renovated with separate areas for selling and auctioning fish. The boats are tied properly using ropes and poles fixed along the harbour line. Cats and birds walked around the area in search of leftover fish.

This work shows the early morning preparation of fishermen at Vellayil. It is a part of their life that begins before the sun rises, before the fish reach the market, and before anyone else sees the effort behind their livelihood.

Muhammed Midhilaj is a postgraduate student at IIT Gandhinagar, interested in cultural storytelling and the visual narratives of anthropology.

 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author/s. They do not necessarily reflect the positions, policies, or perspectives of FAIR and of any individuals associated with POV.

Before I left, I met Jasir, a 35-year-old fisherman. He asked if I could take a group photo of some of them. While speaking, he mentioned that this is not a good season and the catch is very low. Still, he said they remain satisfied with whatever comes each day.