No Room for the Blues

(2012)

In “No Room for the Blues,” Leena captures the resilience and hidden lives of children she encountered while working with NGOs in Kalighat in her early twenties. This poignant series reveals the unseen world beneath the beds in crowded rooms, where children sought refuge and solace, sleeping in spaces just 4 feet high.

Through her lens, Leena unveils the silent stories of adaptation and survival, shedding light on the unnoticed trauma these young souls endured. The exhibition, a blend of haunting images and compelling narratives, highlights the transformative power of night creches in bringing these children from the shadows into a space of hope and healing.

view curator’s note
This series shows young children in a night creche in a red light district, capturing their joie de vivre

There is no room for the blues

A group of children sit closely on wooden benches, some smiling while others lean on each other or look toward the camera

There is no room for the blues

Children laughing at the camera, showing their ability to smile despite all odds

There is no room for the blues

Leena captures the infectious laughter and smiles of a group of children

There is no room for the blues

In the heart of the red light district, children laughed and smiled, radiating joy in the face of adversity

There is no room for the blues

Children laugh and smile inside a night creche in the red light district, joy lighting up their faces

There is no room for the blues

Captured in a red light district creche, the children’s laughter feels both tender and wildly defiant

There is no room for the blues

Inside a night shelter, children sit close, their smiles radiant—echoes of joy in an unlikely place

There is no room for the blues

Leena captures a moment of unfiltered joy as children giggle and play in the heart of the red light district

There is no room for the blues

Infectious smiles and bursts of laughter from children in a night creche offer a glimpse of hope and resilience

There is no room for the blues

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Leena Kejriwal’s galleries are powerful visual narratives that illuminate the harsh realities of our world while inspiring change through art.