Lifestyle

Stunning portraits show the diversity of beauty in India, across age and class

Stunning portraits show the diversity of beauty in India, across age and class
Image: Mihaela Noroc
By
Loubna Mrie
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For almost three years, Noroc Mihaela has traveled the world with a backpack and a camera to capture the diversity of female beauty around the world, for her project Atlas of Beauty. For the project’s latest installment, the Romanian photographer spent two months in India photographing women from different regions and backgrounds: from pilgrims in Varanasi to Mumbai street sellers and Bollywood stars.

“I did my best to capture that special feeling of warmth and serenity that comes from the eyes of a woman and inspires our humanity,” says Mihaela. See a selection of her portraits below:

A young Hindu pilgrim making an offering on the Ganges River, in Varanasi.
A young Hindu pilgrim making an offering on the Ganges River, in Varanasi.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
Since her childhood, this young woman has lived in a small tent on the sidewalk in Mumbai.
Since her childhood, this young woman has lived in a small tent on the sidewalk in Mumbai.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
The trains of India transport around seven billion passengers around the country every year. Jodhpur.
The trains of India transport around seven billion passengers around the country every year. Jodhpur.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
In a few months’ time she will give birth to her first baby. Delhi.
In a few months’ time she will give birth to her first baby. Delhi.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A girl in Dharavi slum, on the outskirts of Mumbai.
A girl in Dharavi slum, on the outskirts of Mumbai.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A policewoman in Pushkar.
A policewoman in Pushkar.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
This woman from Mumbai will turn 100, next year.
This woman from Mumbai will turn 100, next year.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A Kalbelia woman at the Pushkar Camel Fair.
A Kalbelia woman at the Pushkar Camel Fair.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A fashion designer from Chennai, visiting the beaches of Goa for vacation.
A fashion designer from Chennai, visiting the beaches of Goa for vacation.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A young woman in Pushkar, India.
A young woman in Pushkar, India.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A deaf-mute girl in Mumbai.
A deaf-mute girl in Mumbai.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
At a Christian wedding in Goa, a former Portuguese colony.
At a Christian wedding in Goa, a former Portuguese colony.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
India has more than two thousand ethnic groups. I met this Marathi woman in Nashik.
India has more than two thousand ethnic groups. I met this Marathi woman in Nashik.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
Rajasthani women are famous all over India for their amazing outfits, Jodhpur.
Rajasthani women are famous all over India for their amazing outfits, Jodhpur.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A street seller in Varanasi.
A street seller in Varanasi.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
A Tamil woman in Mumbai breaking her fast.
A Tamil woman in Mumbai breaking her fast.
Image: Mihaela Noroc
Sonam Kapoor is one of the most successful Indian actresses.
Sonam Kapoor is one of the most successful Indian actresses.
Image: Mihaela Noroc