Myriad hues of life in lens

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In a small village near Koraput in Orissa, the Paroja tribal women decked in beautiful, beaded necklaces and large nose- rings gyrate to drums and chants at a local festival. Their superb coordination and sense of rhythm can beat any professional dance group. The women are strong, dominating and fiercely independent.

This and many more facets of Paroja tribal life was discovered by Bangalore-based French photographer, Magali Couffon de Trevros , who is in the city to display her works, Tribal Lights at Gallerie Romain Rolland Alliance Francaise.
“I like to convey a story through my photographs. They need to have a soul and spirit. It is so much fun to travel to distant places and capture life. For Tribal Lights, I stayed around a week in the village and captured myriad frames. It was frustrating at times, to realise that I couldn’t understand their language at all and I wished, I found a proper translator. But I managed to tell their story through their gestures and body language was enough to tell my story,” says Magali. Primarily based on portraits, the exhibition has about 40 pictures mounted on mango wood, aluminium and leather.
One can’t help but notice that most of the pictures have women as subjects. “Just like most tribal societies, Parojas are matriarchal in nature. The women are quite independent and work hard. When I was photographing them, they appeared confident and had no apprehensions,” informs she. One can’t help noticing that both men and women have an affinity towards wearing colourful attires.
Magali came to India in early 90s as a backpacker, trying to discover the world. She found that the flourishing economy presented her means to earn her livelihood and clicking photographs was her hobby. But it was only 3 years earlier, that she took professional training. “Having trained in photography, I am slightly old fashioned. I first compose my picture, check for proper light and then click. I do not like using much of technology, after clicking of pictures. I know many young photographers are doing that, but I find such works shallow,” asserts Magali.
She has also worked on series based on Bangladeshi refugees in Assam and street life in Kolkata. “It is a fascinating experience to travel and document life. I do studio photography to earn a living. But it is the former I enjoy the most,” she finishes.