Indian Beauty: The True Beauty of Ordinary Women (23 photos)

Romanian photographer Micaela Noroc is known for her stunning photo project "Atlas of Beauty," which showcases the beauty of ordinary women in their natural surroundings—the places where they live and work.

Micaela recently visited India, bringing back photographs of local women who exude a unique and natural beauty. According to the photographer, many women in India are discriminated against and their lives are very difficult, yet they are nevertheless incredible examples of strength and beauty.

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Slums and upscale neighborhoods, the dusty Thar Desert and Rajasthan, the colonial alleys of Mumbai and the banks of the sacred Ganges River—Mihaela has met and photographed amazing women everywhere.

Mumbai

This girl lived in a small tent in Mumbai since childhood. Her father died when she was very young, and her brave mother, a market vendor, did everything she could to ensure her education. The photographer says she's rarely met such a warm and kind person with such a positive attitude and a good education, even though this girl's home is the sidewalk.

Mumbai



Sonam Kapoor is a popular Indian actress.

Nasik



There are over two thousand ethnic groups in India. The photographer met this young Marathi woman in the city of Nashik.

Goa



The Indian state of Goa was formerly a Portuguese colony, which is why there are so many churches there. The photographer met this woman at a Christian wedding.

Varanasi



A young Hindu pilgrim makes an offering in the Ganges River in Varanasi. The city is considered the spiritual capital of India.

Pune



Urvashi Patole encourages women to break the stereotypes that have become established in the country. She founded The Bikerni, an association for women motorcyclists, to this end.

Mumbai



This woman will soon turn 100. Just imagine that centuries of the country's history passed right before these beautiful eyes.

Jodhpur



Picturesque Indian trains carry approximately 7 billion passengers across the country each year.

Mumbai



Mumbai is the most populous city in India, home to ethnic groups from all over the country. The girl in the photo is Tamil. The photo was taken at a celebration marking the end of a 40-day fast.

Rajasthan

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In the state of Rajasthan, a magical part of India, almost every woman wears a colorful national costume and lots of jewelry.

Pushkar

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A Kalbelia woman at the camel fair in Pushkar. Until recently, Kalbeliyas were known as snake catchers and poison dealers. Their famous dance mimics the movements of a snake.

Pushkar

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Police officers are common on the streets of India.

Delhi

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The girl in the photo will give birth to her first child in a few months. After marriage, most Indian women move into the home of their in-laws.

Mumbai

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Dharavi is a slum in Mumbai, the largest slum in the world, home to about a million people. On these narrow streets, the photographer encountered many warm and welcoming people.

Amritsar



A Sikh woman stands at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Sikhs never cut their hair, covering it with a turban. They always carry a kirpan—a small dagger symbolizing a Sikh's duty to protect those in need.

Goa

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A designer from Chennai came to Goa on vacation.

Pushkar

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There are over 170 million followers of Islam in India.

Delhi



Traditional dress is very popular in India, but many women, especially in large cities, also wear modern clothing.

Mumbai

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Students wear traditional dress to college on special occasions.

Mumbai



The Parsis trace their origins to Persian Zoroastrians who migrated to India over 1,000 years ago. Most, like this girl, live in close-knit communities around beautiful Zoroastrian temples. They maintain their ancient beliefs, but also achieve success and integrate into modern society.

Mumbai



A deaf-mute girl uses sign language to sign the word "friendship." The photographer took this photo during a course run by a community organization that helps women and children from slums get an education.