In pictures: Goa's 'nomads'
- Published
An exhibition of photographs taken by well-known Indian fashion photographer Rohit Chawla was recently held at the Religare Art Gallery in the capital, Delhi. Titled "Goa Style", the exhibition showed pictures of foreign travellers visiting the holiday destination of Goa. (Photos: Rohit Chawla)
Mr Chawla says he met these people - whom he calls "nomads" - on the streets of Goa and photographed them at his home, standing against a white wall without any styling or unnatural posing.
He says the "nomads" he met came from countries such as the US, Easter Island, Chile, Spain and Russia. The men and women - with tattoos and body piercings - came dressed in dramatic outfits made with lace, leather, fur and feathers and immediately attracted attention.
Western photographers often come to India to look for "exotica", so Mr Chawla says he took these pictures to show the "exotic tribe" of foreigners who descend on Goa from all over the world in the winters.
Mr Chawla says everything the men and women in the photographs wear is created and made in Goa.
"Their style quotient is better than the work of many of the world's best designers," he says.
Mr Chawla said he had no problem persuading the people to pose for photographs as "Goa is such an easy-going and friendly place" where people trust each other.
The photographer says some of the men he photographed could be described as the "global avatar of our own Naga sadhus" - the naked, dreadlocked Hindu holy men who were the biggest draw at the recent Kumbh Mela festival held in the northern Indian city of Allahabad.
"They couldn't tell me why they flock to Goa but many come from colder climes, so it's not surprising that they want to enjoy the warmth of the beaches during the winter months," he says.
Originally a fashion photographer, Mr Chawla's photos have been featured in international magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire.