S.R.V.Prasanna lives in R.S.Puram and he simply loves Coimbatore. He is a home bred professional photographer who manages his own home studio. Portraits and family photos are his forte. He began his career as a medical representative and moved over to photography. The Russian camera ( FED 2 ) belonging to his father Dr.S.Radhakrishnan had helped him to traverse the journey. All of us are aware that the photographer is the first to arrive and the last to leave on any given occasion, be it a wedding or a birthday party. The professional photographer Prasanna has put hard work over the last 35 years in spite of being diabetic from the age of 3. Yes, this 63 year old Coimbatore was diagnosed with diabetes by his grandfather Dr.S.Sundararajan ( first eye surgeon of Coimbatore ) over 60 years ago. The grandfather and the father used to administer insulin to Prasanna during his toddler days. It was Type 1 diabetes and the young kid used to have an insulin shot, eat his breakfast and go to school regularly. He was the only kid in town with this issue those days and his condition did not deter him from pursuing his education.
S.R.V.Prasanna lives in R.S.Puram and he simply loves Coimbatore. He is a home bred professional photographer who manages his own home studio. Portraits and family photos are his forte. He began his career as a medical representative and moved over to photography. The Russian camera ( FED 2 ) belonging to his father Dr.S.Radhakrishnan had helped him to traverse the journey. All of us are aware that the photographer is the first to arrive and the last to leave on any given occasion, be it a wedding or a birthday party. The professional photographer Prasanna has put hard work over the last 35 years in spite of being diabetic from the age of 3. Yes, this 63 year old Coimbatore was diagnosed with diabetes by his grandfather Dr.S.Sundararajan ( first eye surgeon of Coimbatore ) over 60 years ago. The grandfather and the father used to administer insulin to Prasanna during his toddler days. It was Type 1 diabetes and the young kid used to have an insulin shot, eat his breakfast and go to school regularly. He was the only kid in town with this issue those days and his condition did not deter him from pursuing his education.
" I used to have bouts of ' low sugar ' , feel uncomfortable during my years at school and used to mechanically return home without getting lost. Somehow I returned in one piece everyday. My mother Rajalakshmi and others were good to me. The lady teachers in school were very kind and sympathetic. However the male teachers used to make fun of me during my ' low sugar ' times by stating that the classroom was not the place for a siesta. They used to take me for a ride by making me stand in the middle of the class and this act of theirs used to make the other kids laugh. These incidents took place when I was hardly 10 years of age. I used to suffer from hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia until I reached eighth standard. Thereafter just had hyperglycemia until my eleventh standard. This ' high sugar ' condition did not make me faint. I began administering insulin all by myself from the age of 13 and the medication was got from Iswar Pharmacy or Ramnath & Co those days. Insulin shots were taken once a day until the age of 21. The dosage change later, " shared Prasanna.
Prasanna's family hails from Thirukurungudi and the family deity happens to be Azhagiya Nambi who is also known as Sundaraparipoornan. His great grandfather Rajagopalachari had been an agronomist who had moved to Coimbatore during the start of the twentieth century in order to work at the newly founded Agricultural College. He went on to become the Vice Principal of the famous institution. The family residence ' Shanthi Sadan ' was built by his grandfather Dr.R.Sundararajan ( 1899 - 1988 ) in the year 1933 and it was the first house on Ponnurangam Road. Prasanna was born and brought up in the same compound and has been living in ' Lakshmi ' ( built in 1963 ) and it was part of the same premises.
" I was initially treated by Dr.Munirathnam Chetty and later by Dr.M.Viswanathan of M.V Diabetes Centre in Chennai. Now his son, the Padmashri awardee Dr.Mohan Viswanathan takes care of me and I visit Chennai once a few months in order seek his guidance. My doctor calls Type 1 diabetes as ' Karma ' and not one which afflicts a person due to his or her lifestyle, " added Prasanna. The photographer had done his schooling from Kikani, P.U.C from Government Arts College and B.A ( English Literature ) from P.S.G College of Arts and Science. He did his M.A in Anthropology from Madras University during his medical representative days.
Prasanna founded Harini Fotos & Videos after his marriage to Vaijayanthi of Kadayanallur. The venture is named after their daughter Harini who lives in the USA. He had been to Kuttralam on a holiday and this had got him an oppourtunity to meet his future wife at Kadayanallur. He liked her instantly and married her after informing her besides the members of her family that he was diabetic. The wedding had taken place under a pandal erected on the Agraharam Road.
The photographer stated that this was the best thing that happened to him. " Vaijayanthi has been my companion in this journey. She looks after me very well. The good food given by her and the care provided at the times of ' low sugar ' have made me what I am. I exercise everyday . She has never slept a full night after our marriage. Vaijayanthi wakes up once every few hours and checks if I am alright. I was given a Silver Medal on completing 25 years as a diabetic by the Diabetic Association of India, another medal came in on completing 50 years and one more recognition on completing 60 years. This has been possible due to the grace of Lord Venkateswara, Lord Rathina Vinayagar and the commitment of my wife Vaijayanthi."
Prasanna is an award winning wedding photographer. He has been to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Tirunelveli among other places at the behest of his clients. Weddings were convenient for a diabetic photographer for help and food were on hand at all times. His wife Vaijayanthi works hard and wants to be busy all the time. She hails from a rustic background and has been slogging it out from the age of 7. " I thank Lord Perumal and the doctors for their guidance in the form of blessings and medical attention. My husband is a diabetes expert and he has a number of tips for people suffering from Type 1 diabetes. His food includes vegetable based items and it was included as per the advice of one Yogeshwar Vegetable Clinic. My job is to attend to him all the time and I am glad that it has been possible, " stated Vaijayanthi whose filter coffee matches her commitment.
" I have so much of an experience as a Type 1 diabetic and therefore I can guide , educate people with a similar condition. As a diabetic I can say that we can lead a better and longer life than a normal human being because of diet, exercise and the right medication. I am available for counselling 24 hours a day round the year. My family and my wife have nourished me. I love Coimbatore and it is the best city in the world. Where else can you get such fine people and the moderate weather. R.S Puram is the best place to live in Coimbatore. Diabetes is an affliction and one can surely manage it provided they follow the right life style. People are welcome to seek inputs from me and I am ready to share my experience, " stated S.R.V. Prasanna from an ancient rosewood easy chair at his family residence.
Kudos to Prasanna and his wife Vaijayanthi. A pilgrimage to the residence of Prasanna is sure to be rewarding.