As 2024 comes to a close, Mathrubhumi photographers present a stunning year-end collection that offers a visual journey through Kerala and beyond.

The year-end gallery showcases stories of resilience, joy, and sorrow, with each frame telling a unique story of the people and places.

Whether it is the vibrant celebrations of festivals, the quiet moments of reflection, or the stories of struggle and triumph, the images evoke a powerful emotional connection.

Photos by Biju Varghese

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May brotherhood shine: The decorative tower of the Sree Shakti Vinayaka Temple in Palayam was illuminated with lamps. Nearby, the Palayam Jumma Masjid and the Palayam St. Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral can also be seen.
May brotherhood shine: The decorative tower of the Sree Shakti Vinayaka Temple in Palayam was illuminated with lamps. Nearby, the Palayam Jumma Masjid and the Palayam St. Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral can also be seen.

 

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Care: During a search for Joy, a sanitation worker who went missing while cleaning the Amayizhanjan canal in Thiruvananthapuram, a senior fire officer, N.K. Anu, of the Fire and Rescue Services, provided food to the scuba divers who had emerged from the waste pit after their efforts.
Care: During a search for Joy, a sanitation worker who went missing while cleaning the Amayizhanjan canal in Thiruvananthapuram, a senior fire officer, N.K. Anu, of the Fire and Rescue Services, provided food to the scuba divers who had emerged from the waste pit after their efforts.

 

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Turning his attire into a means of livelihood: The state president of the Youth Congress and a member of the Youth Welfare Board, Santosh Kala, was spotted in the streets of Pazhavangadi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The outfit he was wearing, which he used to make a living, marked a shift from his previous role as an office assistant to Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran.
Turning his attire into a means of livelihood: The state president of the Youth Congress and a member of the Youth Welfare Board, Santosh Kala, was spotted in the streets of Pazhavangadi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. The outfit he was wearing, which he used to make a living, marked a shift from his previous role as an office assistant to Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran.

Photos by C Biju

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Close to heart: The body of medical student Alvin George, who died in a road accident in Alappuzha, was placed for public viewing at the Alappuzha Medical College. As the body was being moved to the ambulance for transport to his home, his mother Meena, holding his white coat close to her chest, descended the college stairs. Alvin George's classmates followed behind.
 

 

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Through tears and rain: In the wake of heavy rainfall, the body of Elsie Joseph from the flooded house of Manoj in Poonthoppu ward of Alappuzha was carried through the water to her elder son Babuson’s house. The body of Elsie, who had died due to illness, had to be moved because of the flooding in the house.

 

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Grabbing the last hope: Following a clash during the Youth Congress march to the Alappuzha Collectorate in protest against the arrest of State President Rahul Mamkootathil, the police responded with a lathi charge on District President M.P. Praveen. In a bid to escape, Praveen clutched onto the shirt of a nearby photojournalis

Photos by KK Santhosh

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Tracks meet tradition: Women in Kathakali costumes cross railway tracks to perform a dance at the All Kerala Dance Teachers Association conference held at Kozhikode Town Hall.

 

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 Bright wishes: MK Fathima Naj, a Class 7 student of the Kolathara Calicut HSS for the Handicapped, and her brother, Mohammad Fasil, a first-year MA History student at Calicut University, extended their greetings in Braille at the state school arts festival being held in Kozhikode.

 

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Spirits high: The main ceremony of the Kadalundi Vaavutsavam, the Jathavan procession, started from the Jathavan Fort in Kozhikode's Mannur, with traditional rituals

Photos by Ramanath Pai

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This is our apartment: Ibises perched on a dry tree by the Nethravathi riverbank. The scene captured against the backdrop of Mangaluru city’s flair

 

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Certain of its rise: Amid heavy rain, activists erected the hammer, sickle, and star symbol (associated with the Communist Party) at the centre of the flooded paddy field in Kasaragod.

 

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Thirst quencher: Amidst the intense summer heat, a tractor carrying water for construction purposes moves across the Kasaragod Angadi Mogar Bridge, which spans the dried-up Shiriya River.

Photos by G Sivaprasad

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Joy in work: Alla Bahesh Khan, originally from Jolarpet in Tamil Nadu, primarily works as peanut seller in Kochi. In his spare time, he also collects plastic. In Kottayam, Khan is often seen gathering discarded water cans while singing and dancing along the way. Once aspiring to become an actor, Khan has always sought to bring joy to whatever work he takes on. His daily routine is infused with dance and song, which adds a distinctive charm to his simple yet fulfilling life.

 

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Desperate plea: The school courtyard resonated with the lively sounds of children's laughter and cries as they stepped into the world of letters. Initially, there were giggles, but as their parents departed, the cries intensified. Despite the classroom door being shut to prevent them from running out, some children managed to escape, eagerly dashing outside. With outstretched arms, they rushed to their teacher, some even falling at her feet. "Please, let me go outside," pleaded Siyon Chacko. This was the scene at the Baker Memorial L.P. School in Kottayam.

 

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Eye of the storm: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan departs after inaugurating the Kerala Police Association's State Conference in Kottayam. District Police Chief Shahul Hameed, ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar, and State Police Chief Dr. Sheikh Darvesh Saheb are seen nearby.

Photos by Sreejith P.R

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The great fall: The bull tosses the contestant with its horns during the Jallikattu event held in Madurai's Alanganallur.
 

 

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COPilot ON: Captain Daniel Mont Gomery, the pilot of the seaplane, made an attempt to mount a GoPro camera on the aircraft’s wing at the Mattupetty reservoir's aerodrome. However, he was unable to do so. Subsequently, another police officer climbed onto the wing and assisted in attaching the camera.

 

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Joyful swims, timeless memories: For many Malayalis, the memory of learning to swim while being held by loved ones, gently paddling with arms and legs, remains a cherished one. This joy is now being passed down to the younger generation, as family members take time to share these precious experiences. One afternoon, P.N. Sebastian, the grandfather, is teaching his grandson, young Sebastian, how to swim in the shallow waters of the Periyar River. 

Photos by P P Binoj

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Sleep my baby: For an extended period, the mud by the roadside remained undisturbed. With its sharp tusks, the earth was gently shifted, and the young elephant, unaware of the world around, peacefully drifted into sleep. The mother, however, could never allow her little one to rest so carelessly by the roadside, exposed to the dangers of passing traffic and lurking wild animals. Standing guard, she made sure no harm would come to her child. From midnight until the baby elephant stirred in the morning, the mother blocked the path, ensuring a safe passage by keeping all vehicles at bay, steadfastly watching over her precious one. This poignant scene unfolded along the Mananthavady-Thirunelli forest stretch.

 

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Vibrant colours, joyful smiles: A moment from the Holi celebrations at Gujarati Street in Kozhikode.

 

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Long wait: Although schools are closed for the holidays, Kozhikode Beach remains quiet, with few visitors coming for the camel rides. Even after waiting through the sweltering afternoon heat, only a handful of people are turning up for the rides. As evening falls, the view through the tents set up for Iftar.

Photos by Manish Chemanchery

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Mark of tragedy: At the scene in Nattika where five people, including children, were killed when a lorry drove over those lying on a closed road, visible tyre marks show where the vehicle had run over them

 

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Breath of democracy: Despite battling illness and relying on a nasal cannula, Kamalam from Palakkalparambu made her way from the hospital to cast her vote in the Chelakkara by-election at Pazhanyanur G.L.P. School.

 

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Police and paws unite: During the passing-out parade at the Thrissur Police Academy, a stray dog that wandered into the event stole the spotlight. As the dog unexpectedly paused, the crowd burst into applause, thoroughly enjoying the unexpected moment.

Photos by Sabu S

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Divine lights: On the evening of the consecration ceremony, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was bathed in light, its grandeur highlighted by the illumination.

 

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Legacy in every thread: Olympian Hockey legend PR Sreejesh, who recently announced his retirement, was honoured by his teammates. In a heartfelt tribute, they donned identical red jerseys bearing his name and number, bowing in respect to the iconic goalkeeper

Photos by Philip Jacob

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Hooked: Driving school operators in Thrissur protested against the proposed exclusion of M80 vehicles from driving tests in a creative manner. As part of their agitation, they staged a symbolic demonstration by pulling a vehicle adorned as Yama, the Hindu god of death, highlighting their concerns about the impact of the move on their livelihoods.

 

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Waltz through: Thrissur nurses' arts festival witnesses a dancer arriving with her child peacefully asleep in her arms.

 

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Run, camera, run: Photographers sprinting ahead of the police officers during the passing-out parade at the Thrissur Police Academy, capturing every moment on camera.

Photos by EV Ragesh 

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Shared bonding: Varghese, a security guard at the Kottayam YMCA, quietly allowed a stray cat to take a seat beside him without causing any disturbance. When the cat approached him, he offered it a portion of his meal, later remarking that his seat was now to be shared.

 

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Bucketball: During team selections for the district school sports competition at Kottayam's Nagampadam Indoor Stadium, buckets have been placed on the basketball court to collect rainwater leaking from the roof. The wooden court, constructed at a cost of several lakhs, is being damaged due to persistent leaks in multiple areas. While athletes continue to suffer injuries from falls, authorities have yet to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.

Photos by PP Ratheesh

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In the nick of time: During the concluding ceremony of the Palakkad Shabari Ashram's centenary celebrations, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was offering a floral tribute to Gandhiji's portrait when flames from the lamp caught his shawl. The situation was swiftly controlled as the shawl was promptly removed, preventing any mishap.

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Rain-soaked victory and tearful defeat: Amidst heavy rainfall at the Sreekrishnapuram Higher Secondary School ground, the Malappuram team rejoiced in their victory in the Subroto Cup State Football Championship final for boys under 15. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, V. Ramo of the Thiruvananthapuram team, sitting in the mud, was seen in tears, heartbroken by the defeat

 

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Close look: UDF candidate Rahul Mankootathil and LDF candidate Dr. P. Sarin attend the first-day procession of the Kalpathy Ratholsavam and receive prasadam amid their election campaigns.

Photos by C R Gireeshkumar

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Toiling mess: Pullikada Colony, in the centre of Kollam city, was flooded after the first showers. An earth excavator arrived under the councillor's supervision to clear the drain, but the work was not done properly. As a result, polluted water mixed with dirt, making it harder to clean the area. Residents, including Kunjumon, helped with the cleanup. The flooding happened after waste flowing through the drain was blocked by an iron net, which was part of a Rs 7.5 crore project to clean Ashtamudikayal.

 

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Dead fish tell no tales: In Kollam, near Ashtamudi Lake, fish in large numbers were found dead and floating in the Mangadu and Kadavoor areas. The majority of the dead fish belonged to the species Vattamathi (Njunna). The scene from Kadavoor Kuthirakadavu was striking. Following an investigation, experts from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies concluded that the incident was caused by an algal bloom phenomenon. Local residents, however, expressed concerns about potential chemical contamination in the waters.

 

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Sunk cost: Food grains transported by train were soaked in rain during their transfer to the FCI warehouse in Kollam

Photos by Sudheer Mohan

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Remnants of a tragic night: The site of an accident at Muthakkara, Kollam, where a bike ran over people sleeping by the roadside at night. The prosthetic limbs and crutches of the differently-abled Parashuraman lie abandoned on the ground.

 

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Another moment of misery: Muraleedharan, a diabetic from Thevalli, sought follow-up treatment at Kollam District Hospital, where he had previously undergone surgery for an infected leg wound. He had to wait outside in a wheelchair, drenched by the rain. His leg was encased in a plastic bag, while his wife, Leela, struggled to shield his head from the downpour. The lack of proper facilities to access the outpatient department (OPD) without exposure to the rain has caused considerable distress for patients arriving by vehicle.

 

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Hoping for a stroke of luck: In the past, children would roam the fields, collecting cashew nuts and other produce. The money earned from selling these goods was often used to buy toys, including balls. Today, however, the fields have become dumping grounds, filled with plastic bags and piles of waste. The current generation now sifts through the debris, hoping to find something of value. A scene from Vadi Beach, Kollam.

Photos by MP Unnikrishnan

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Against the current: A fisherman, working diligently to secure the hooks of his net and prevent the fish from leaping out amidst the strong waves, captured in a scene from the shores of Shankumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram.

 

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Heartbreaking farewell: The body of CRPF jawan R. Vishnu, who was tragically killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, was brought to his family home in Thiruvananthapuram. In a heart-wrenching moment, his son, Nirdhev, performed the final rites, bidding farewell to his beloved father.

 

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 A protective roar: The male cub, born a month ago at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, ithriving alongside its mother, Janvi.

Photos by B Muralikrishnan

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Blissful mist: Before the summer sun begins to unleash its heat, the morning mist lingers, offering a sense of both comfort and intrigue. A view from Vellayani, near Thiruvananthapuram city

 

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Locked arms: Protesters, led by the Revolutionary Youth Front, formed a human chain to prevent the police from making arrests and dispersing the crowd during the Secretariat March, which demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

 

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In over one's head: The Fire Force scuba diving team is conducting a search for the person who went missing while cleaning the Amayizhanchan canal, which is filled with waste, near the R.M.S. office at Thiruvananthapuram Thampanoor railway station.

Photos by Arun Krishnankutty

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Derailed : A herd of 16 elephants, including calves, crosses the railway tracks near the Malampuzha residential locality after forest officials set off a cracker in an attempt to drive them away.

 

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Caught in the currents: Police and fire service personnel recover the body of missing civil police officer Murugan from the Varagayar river. Murugan had been attempting to cross the river to reach his home in Upper Bhoothayar. His friend, Krishnan, who was accompanying him, was swept away by the strong currents and drowned.

 

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Running out of wings: Tharakanchalla in Palakkad became a scene of distress as a bird struggled to escape the raging fire spreading through the forest. In the intense summer heat, fires frequently consume dried grass and woodlands in the area. Reckless burning not only endangers the environment but also claims the lives of birds and other wildlife. The scene serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of such fires.