Gypsies of Mahabalipuram
The First Gypsies
The first time I saw the Gypsies they were huddled where the beach meets the end of the road. The boy with the suitcase and the naked boy with the red cord around his waist stood out. I knew then they were Gypsies (a sub-culture of transients operating on the fringes of society.) They make semi-permanent homes, often moving based on the season.
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Home Beach
The Gypsies often use the beach as a home base. I watched them here, but still hadn't made contact, only photographing them from a distance.
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Like Mother Like Daughter.
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I See You
Jodika is one of the first street kids I met. We became friends from this photo forward.
Ramia
Jodika's friend Ramia wears jewelry common to the Gypsies in south India.
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Sales Force
The gypsy kids sell necklaces like those on their arms to tourists to earn money for their family.
Earmarked
This boy will be able to begin selling necklaces within a couple years.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
This is the last photo taken of this girl before her head was shaved. (see bald girl in white dress in last photo of the gallery)
Poser
Many of the gypsys, especially children, are friendly, seem very happy and are fond of getting their picture taken.
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Gypsy Baby
Gypsies parent similarly to integrated citizens. However, it is common for the babies to be taken care of by many of the members of the community, which is akin to an extended family.
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To Be a Kid
The kids have many simple pleasures, including blowing up balloons over and over.
New Mother
"Please photo my baby."
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My Territory!
When photographing scenes on the beach, this gypsy kid started playing like a tiger, roaring at me and laughing.
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I Have a Baby Too!
This teenage girl wants to be a mother. Gypsies are not familiar with contraception, and the girls typically get pregnant relatively young.
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Making Jewelry in the Street
Ramia and Jodika make beaded necklaces in the street. They are very good and it takes them only minutes.
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Ambiga
Ambiga, Jodika's little brother is shy when we first meet.
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Special Jewelry
Jodika shows off her most prized pieces. These stay at home and are reserved for selling to shopkeepers when they move on to Pondicherry.
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T.V. Time
Ambiga watches T.V., something his parents never knew existed at his age. I never found out how they got such a luxury item, yet often went hungry.
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"I like What I Do"
Nandini, 13, holds dozens of necklaces she's made. She told me she enjoys the jewelry trade and does not want to go to school or work in a store.
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Happiness is Simple
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Only Time
This woman didn't have a care in the world. She just sat on the concrete smiling.
Faces Tell
Four gypsy children in Poonjery, India, each with a different expression.
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Photobomb!
Jodika photobombs Ramia, who poses for a portrait with my sunglasses.
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Quench Time
On a hot day, Raj gets the kids some lemonade in a pouch.
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Our Family Before
Jodika, Ramia and Ambiga show a family portrait from years ago, before Jodika's mother died.
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Jodika's Mom
Jodika, a nine year-old gypsy told me "I want my father not to drink, to not be around fights and for my house to be clean. I want nothing else to make me happy. …It would be very nice if my mother were here. I want that more than anything else.” This is a portrait of her mother, who died of Tuberculosis when Jodika was only a few years old.
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Pigeon Coup
Jodika introduces me to the pigeons near her home.
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Poonjery
People of low or no income, including some of the gypsies, live in this row of block housing in a village called Poonjery.
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I Scream
Jodika finishes lunch with the ice cream of her choice.
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Jammin
Jodika listens to my iPod while taking a break from selling necklaces.
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Painting Project
Some days the street kids would come to the guest house and do arts and crafts, and English lessons.
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The Next Picasso?
Could Jodika be a world class painter? Street kids have just as much capacity as any of us to do great things. But we may never know their potential.
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First Floss
Jodika flosses her teeth for the first time.
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Friends Forever
Street kids are very close to one another. They must cooperate at a young age to help add to the community. their strong bonds make this possible.
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On the Lookout
On a hot day, Jodika looks out on the Bay of Bengal.
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On a Dead Sea Turtle
Jodika unabashedley poses on a dead sea turtle that's washed ashore.
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Circle of Friends
Despite food insecurity, no luxury and a concrete cube for a home, these children have eachother and that makes them happier than any thing could.
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Jodika's Family
My adopted family. From the left: Jodika's father, sister Nandini, Jodika, brother Ambiga, sister Dragava.
The Gypsies of Mahabalipuram, India.
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A Fun Farwell
(remember the girl in the white dress had her head shaved)
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