This woman from Cochin wears a distinctive red dot on her forehead, known as a bindi. Originally a symbol of the ‘third eye’ and spiritual protection in Hinduism, it is now often worn as a fashion accessory. The teardrop shape is a classic style. She is wearing gold earrings with delicate detailing and a red garment, likely a sari or a dupatta. – 1990

A powerful image capturing three generations in a moment of everyday life. The women are wearing clothing typical of rural areas such as Murukkady in Kerala. The younger woman is wearing a classic red sari with a floral pattern. The child has a bindi on her forehead and is wearing black bracelets – traditional symbols often worn for protection or for cultural reasons. – 1990

Three children, probably siblings, in a rural, green setting. The bindi dots on their foreheads and their style of dress suggest they are from the Murukkady area. – Kerala – 1990

The serious yet curious expressions on the two girls’ faces lend the photograph a profound emotional depth. The scene was captured in Thrikkunnapuzha and is typical of Kerala’s rural communities. – 1990

Portrait of a female officer of the Indian Home Guard (a voluntary auxiliary force to the police) in uniform. She is wearing a khaki-coloured uniform shirt, as is customary in various police forces in India. A silver badge is attached to her beret, featuring the Indian national emblem (Ashoka’s lion capital) at the top, above a wreath and a central, stylised bird (often interpreted as a dove of peace) with outstretched wings. She wears a bindi on her forehead and traditional Indian earrings (jhumkas). – Mahé – 1990

A homeless girl in Maharashtra, Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Mumbai is known for having one of the world’s largest populations of street children. They often sleep directly on the pavement, in railway stations or under motorway bridges. Many earn a living by begging, collecting rubbish or selling small goods at transport hubs. – 1990

The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, far better known by its original name, Crawford Market, is one of the most historic and lively markets in Mumbai, India. The young woman, dressed in traditional clothing and wearing a small bindi on her forehead, is carrying a bundle of firewood. – 1990

At Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, better known as Crawford Market, a woman sells sugar apples (Annona squamosa), also known as cinnamon apples or sitaphal. – Mumbai – 1990

A young woman from Jodhpur wearing traditional clothing and jewellery. A delicate, pink veil is loosely draped over her head. She has a bindi on her forehead, a traditional red dot adorned with a small gemstone. She wears a traditional necklace (often referred to as a thushi or timaniya) with small, gold-coloured pendants, as well as a simpler chain underneath. She wears numerous bangles on her forearms. – Sardar Market (or Girdikot) in Jodhpur – 1990

This young woman from the Jodhpur area is wearing the traditional jewellery and clothing characteristic of the nomadic communities in this region. The numerous white rings on her upper and lower arms are known as churas. In many Rajasthani tribes, married women wear this jewellery, which was traditionally made of ivory or bone and is now mostly made of plastic. Her facial jewellery includes a striking nose ring (nath) and an elaborate headband (matha patti). The heavy necklaces with green beads and large metal pendants are typical examples of the region’s tribal-style silver jewellery. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman from Khuri in Rajasthan. Her appearance is deeply rooted in the traditions of the local nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes. The yellow-green headscarf (odhani) protects her from the intense desert sun and is an essential part of the traditional women’s costume. The golden nose ring (nath) with small decorations is a classic feature of married women in rural areas of Rajasthan. She wears heavy, layered necklaces, including yellow pearl necklaces and silver amulets, which often serve as protective symbols. On her arms are the characteristic white bangles, traditionally made of ivory (nowadays mostly plastic). The red dot on her forehead has spiritual significance and often symbolises the ‘third eye’ or her married status. – 1990

A woman from Khuri in Rajasthan. Her appearance is deeply rooted in the traditions of the local nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes. The yellow-green headscarf (odhani) protects her from the intense desert sun and is an essential part of the traditional women’s costume. The golden nose ring (nath) with small decorations is a classic feature of married women in rural areas of Rajasthan. She wears heavy, layered necklaces, including yellow pearl necklaces and silver amulets, which often serve as protective symbols. The red dot on her forehead has spiritual significance and often symbolises the ‘third eye’ or her married status. – 1990

This portrait depicts a girl named Ambu from Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The name of this desert means ‘the land of the dead’. Yet life thrives there nonetheless, for the girl’s name means ‘water’ – a symbol of hope for a fruitful future. Ambu wears a striking, beaded headband in yellow and red, with a round, golden decorative button attached at the front. Traditional golden earrings hang from her ears, featuring delicate filigree patterns and small green accent beads at the bottom. A red dot (bindi) is applied to her forehead. Her eyes are heavily outlined and emphasised with traditional dark kohl. – 1990

The bright pink veil worn by the nomad Barbati covers her hair and is typical of women from the region around Jaisalmer. It serves both as protection from the sun and as a sign of respect. The striking, round ornament on her forehead is a traditional hairpiece often worn by married women in Rajasthan. The large, elaborately decorated golden nose ring is connected to the earrings or her hair by a delicate chain. She wears a bindi on her forehead. – 1990

Barbati, a nomad, is preparing dough outdoors whilst wearing her traditional Indian attire. She is dressed in a colourful ensemble consisting of a dark top and skirt with a floral pattern, as well as a bright pink veil (dupatta or odhni) covering her head. Her jewellery is very striking and includes several necklaces (including one with coin pendants), bangles on both wrists, earrings and traditional headdresses. In front of her stands a clay bowl containing dough, and she is currently shaping a ball of dough with her hands. Next to the bowl is a small bottle of oil. – Jaisalmer region – 1990

Barbati, a nomad, is preparing dough outdoors whilst wearing her traditional Indian attire. She is dressed in a colourful ensemble consisting of a dark top and skirt with a floral pattern, as well as a bright pink veil (dupatta or odhni) covering her head. Her jewellery is very striking and includes several necklaces (including one with coin pendants), bangles on both wrists, earrings and traditional headdresses. In front of her stands a clay bowl containing dough, and she is currently shaping a chapati with her hands. Next to the bowl is a small bottle of oil. – Jaisalmer region – 1990

Making dough for flatbreads is a daily ritual in almost every Indian household. The everyday, unleavened flatbread chapati is made from whole wheat flour (atta) and water. Preparation: Flour and water are mixed in a shallow bowl (often made of clay, brass, or wood, called a parat) and kneaded vigorously until a smooth dough forms. This is divided into small, uniform balls and rolled between the palms of the hands. The balls are either rolled flat with a rolling pin (belan) or flattened by hand. The bread is baked directly in the embers. – Jaisalmer region – 1990

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