Mohammed Sajid’s ‘Folks of Kerala’ gives identity to city’s invisible workers

Bengaluru-based artist Mohammed Sajid is turning the spotlight on Kerala’s unsung urban workers through his ongoing illustration series, ‘Folks of Kerala’. The series celebrates what he calls the “invisible fragments” of his homeland — people who are unavoidable yet conveniently overlooked in daily city life.

From flower sellers and fish hawkers to security guards and street sweepers, Sajid’s subjects stare directly at the viewer. Each portrait is framed by the objects, scents, words and tools that shape their everyday world, making their presence impossible to ignore.

Instead of letting them fade into the background, Sajid gives them names, identities and personal stories. His work challenges the way cities render essential workers invisible, urging viewers to see the individuals behind the roles.

Through detailed illustrations, ‘Folks of Kerala’ becomes both an archive and an ode — preserving the dignity and humanity of those who keep urban Kerala running.