Sadhus/Tilake 2020
I did the project in two different locations. The first place is Sangam, India during the Magh Mela festival, where thousands of Sadhus and Induist devotees gather to pray. I then travelled to Pashupatinath and Devghat in Nepal where the same religious festival takes place.
The project aims to identify the different religious sects wearing the Tilake, the vivid colourful mark painted on the forehead that varies according to the sect a devotee belongs to.
I took 120 portraits, shooting open air in a dynamic stage that I set up with electric lights and a 180cm photographic umbrella.
The umbrella is present in all the images, being the distinctive feature of the project.
For the first time, men and women are portrayed inside its shape which creates a bright reflection, almost a divine aura surrounding them.
Every portrait is catalogued with name and religious sect.
