On Belonging: Photographs of Indians of African Descent

Interesting small exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery of photographs by Ketaki Sheth of people of African descent in India.

These people’s forbears came to India with the trade routes in the 17th century and adopted much of India but also retained a distinct identity and culture. They are descendants of sailors, traders and slaves.

There were some beautiful images particularly those from a wedding. In one the bride sits alone in a room before the ceremony and it is a wonderful study in pattern as everything is the room seems to be in a different material and design. I also liked one of five boys, I guess at the same wedding, in a line leaning on each other. It’s hard to tell whose hand is whose and there is a real sense of friendship and closeness.

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