Photo Gallery

An impressive image that illustrates an extraordinary feat of physical strength. This man is balancing a large number of metal barrels on his head as he walks down a street. Even though the barrels are presumably empty, the volume and weight of the metal place a massive strain on his neck and back. – Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) – Kerala – 1990

A scene from one of the most historic and bustling commercial hubs in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala. Hand-pulled carts remain an integral part of logistics in the market’s narrow alleys to this day. Whilst modern lorries bring goods into the city, these workers – often referred to as ‘coolies’ – handle the final distribution to the warehouses. The jute sacks on the cart most likely contain rice, dried fruit or spices, the typical goods traded in this district. – 1990

As the streets in Kumily’s market districts are often narrow and bustling, traders rely on the tremendous strength of manual labourers to transport goods to the warehouses. The sacks often contain valuable goods such as cardamom, pepper or cinnamon, which are harvested from the surrounding plantations of Kumily and Thekkady. Kumily is regarded as the region’s most important spice trading centre. – Kerala – 1990

The ‘R.D. Drug House’ is a well-known pharmaceutical retailer in the historic district of Mattancherry in Kochi (formerly Cochin), Kerala. The elaborately designed blue wooden door is a classic example of the blend of colonial and regional styles found in Mattancherry. Many of these old buildings originally served as spice warehouses. In India, pharmacies or wholesalers of medicines are often referred to as ‘Drug Houses’. – 1990

A market scene in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram). A woman sorts fresh fruit into large baskets for sale. Street markets like this are common throughout India. – 1990

This woman from Cochin wears a distinctive red dot on her forehead, known as a bindi. Originally a symbol of the ‘third eye’ and spiritual protection in Hinduism, it is now often worn as a fashion accessory. The teardrop shape is a classic style. She is wearing gold earrings with delicate detailing and a red garment, likely a sari or a dupatta. – 1990

Market stall in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. Such detailed displays of pulses, grains and seeds are characteristic of the city’s historic market districts. The bowls contain typical staple foods of Kerala: pulses (various types of lentils (dal), chickpeas, mung beans and pigeon peas), cereals (various types of rice, maize and millet) and seeds (coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cumin). – 1990

At a market stall in Calicut, large jute sacks filled with bright red, dried chillies – a common sight in many Asian markets – are on display. – 1990

A worker empties a jute sack of ginger roots onto a large tarpaulin to sort them or dry them further. Scenes like this are typical of the historic spice warehouses and factories in Calicut, which are renowned for their centuries-old spice trade. – 1990

A large quantity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is poured out of a jute sack onto the ground. The ginger roots (rhizomes) are cleaned, often peeled, and dried in the sun. Ginger is used as an aromatic cooking spice, as a base for ginger tea, or is valued in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

This man is holding a bowl of fresh green cardamom pods. Cardamom is considered the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. It is prized for its complex, aromatic flavour and is used in a variety of ways. Cardamom is an essential ingredient in curries, teas (such as masala chai), desserts and baked goods worldwide. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

This lively, traditional fruit and vegetable stall was photographed in Murukkady, in the state of Kerala. Clusters of bananas hang from the ceiling. Various fruits and vegetables are piled high in the woven baskets. The classic black men’s bicycle in the foreground is a typical means of transport for traders and customers alike. – 1990

The posters on the wall advertise South Indian films. One of the most prominent posters (centre-right) shows scenes from the cult film *Michael Madana Kama Rajan* (1990) starring Kamal Haasan. Other posters feature films in Malayalam or Tamil. The photograph was taken in 1990. The scene also features a traditional ox-drawn cart used for transporting goods. In the foreground, a man is pulling a small handcart laden with wicker baskets, suggesting a busy street near the market in Cannanore (now Kannur).

A fishmonger at a market in the Indian town of Vasco da Gama (often simply called ‘Vasco’) in the state of Goa, sheltering from the sun under a striking red parasol. – 1990

A street vendor in Panaji displaying a large quantity of apples on a traditional two-wheeled cart. Such mobile fruit carts are a common sight in Indian markets and on the streets. – Goa – 1990

The Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, far better known by its original name, Crawford Market, is one of the most historic and lively markets in Mumbai, India. The young woman, dressed in traditional clothing and wearing a small bindi on her forehead, is carrying a bundle of firewood. – 1990

At Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, better known as Crawford Market, a woman sells sugar apples (Annona squamosa), also known as cinnamon apples or sitaphal. – Mumbai – 1990

A scene at Crawford Market (now Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai) in Mumbai. The men, known as hamals (porters), balance goods in large woven baskets on their heads. – 1990

A typical four-wheeled handcart with large, spoked metal wheels, of the sort often found at street markets in India. The vendor is wearing a traditional orange sari with a blue and white striped scarf loosely draped over her head and shoulders. She is selling apples from the cart. - Crawford Market – Mumbai – 1990

This market stall offers a fresh selection of fruit and vegetables typical of Indian cuisine. The large baskets in the foreground and top right are bursting with bright green chillies, which provide the necessary heat. The vendor is holding a large bunch of fresh coriander in his hands – an essential herb for almost every curry. Fresh ginger, tomatoes and aubergines are also on display. On the right-hand side, small green mangoes are stacked into a neat pyramid. These are often used for pickles (achar) or salads. – Crawford Market – Mumbai – 1990

A scene at the bustling Crawford Market (also known as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market) in Mumbai, India. A market trader sits amidst a colourful array of fresh vegetables, artfully displayed in baskets and on cloths. – 1990

Portrait of a man wearing a turban and a distinctive moustache. The turban is made up of long strips of fabric wrapped around the head using a specific method. In India, turbans often serve as a distinguishing feature for regions or communities. The red dot on the forehead is a tika (or tilak), a religious and cultural symbol in Hinduism. – Crawford Market – Mumbai – 1990

Portrait of an elderly man wearing a distinctive turban and a grey beard. He is dressed in traditional clothing and looks directly into the camera, creating an intense and characterful expression. – Crawford Market – Mumbai – 1990

The photograph shows an Indian market vendor at a vegetable stall offering a wide selection of fresh produce: fresh ginger, hot green chillies, green leafy vegetables and herbs, often including mint, coriander or watercress. – Crawford Market – Mumbai – 1990

A spice trader in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra. The spice market is the largest market in this port city on the Indian coast. During the British colonial era it was known as Crawford Market; today it is called Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market. As well as spices, poultry, fruit, vegetables and much more are on offer here. Apart from ginger (next to his right knee) and fresh green chillies, this trader also sells herbs, lettuce and onions. – 1990