A young woman and her customer photographed by Mary Ellen Mark. The late American photographer gained remarkable access to Mumbai's red-light district in the 1970s.
(WitWave) - In a journey that spanned over a decade, the late American photographer Mary Ellen Mark ventured into the heart of Mumbai's notorious red-light district, Falkland Road, during the 1970s. What emerged from her persistent efforts was an extraordinary collection of vintage photographs that not only captured the stark realities of life but also humanized the sex workers who called Falkland Road home.
Falkland Road’s infamous cages, where sex workers were displayed to passersby and potential customers.
A Decade-Long Struggle: Mark's Persistence in Capturing the Unseen
Mark's initial encounters with the community were marked by hostility and aggression. The sex workers, often victims of abuse and disease, were sceptical of the outsiders attempting to document their lives. For ten years, she faced challenges that ranged from insults and trash being hurled at her to confrontations with pickpockets and drunken aggressors. Yet, Mark's tenacity and genuine interest in the stories of those on the fringes of society led to a turning point in 1978.
Nepalese sex workers waiting for customers at one of Falkland Road’s brothels.
Humanizing the Marginalized: Mark's Unique Approach
Meredith Lue, president of the Mary Ellen Mark Foundation, emphasized Mark's ability to connect with marginalized communities, noting her attraction to stories from the edge. Lue highlighted that Mark's genuine interest and persistence made the subjects feel accepted and understood, fostering a sense of community among the women on Falkland Road.
Trans sex workers getting dressed in a courtyard.
A Metaphor for Entrapment: Mark's Intention Behind "Falkland Road"
Mark's 1981 book, recently reissued with over 70 images, received international acclaim for shedding light on the plight of sex workers. Internationally lauded for shedding light on the plight of sex workers, the book became a metaphor for the entrapment many women faced. In a 1987 interview, Mark expressed that the book was her commentary on the difficulties of being a woman, emphasizing the broader implications of entrapment in society.
Several times each day the madam and her girls have tea, which is brought in from cafes and vendors on the street.
From Hostility to Acceptance: Mark's Turning Point in 1978
Returning to Falkland Road for a six-week assignment with GEO magazine, Mark experienced a transformation in her interactions with the community. Despite initial resistance, her persistent and non-aggressive approach piqued the interest of those on Falkland Road. Slowly, she was invited into their world, capturing intimate moments that transcended the hardships faced by the sex workers. Mark's lens not only depicted the challenges but also revealed the everyday connections and shared laughter that existed in this marginalized community.
“The girls use a lot of powder to lighten their skin — light skin to them is more beautiful,” Mark writes in her book. “I was often asked. “Why do you always photograph dark-skinned girls?”
Complexities of Compassion: Mark's Ethical Dilemmas
While Mark's work has been celebrated for humanizing the marginalized, it also raises ethical questions about the role of photojournalists in portraying vulnerable communities. Mark acknowledged the complexity of her work, recognizing the need for consent and the sense of guilt that accompanies capturing poignant moments from people's lives.
Legacy of Falkland Road: A Changing World and Ongoing Challenges
Falkland Road remains a red-light district, but as Mark noted in a 2005 afterword, the documentary photography landscape has shifted. Today, she observed, magazines focus on war, disaster, and conflict, sidelining real-life stories. Mark pondered how the internet and cable television would impact her approach if she revisited Falkland Road, wondering if the women would be wary of being labelled or sensationalized in a media-saturated world.
The legacy of Mary Ellen Mark endures, not just in her striking images but in the conversations sparked about empathy, consent, and the responsibility of photographers in capturing the stories of those on society's fringes. A retrospective of her work, including the Falkland Road series, is currently on display in Berlin, offering viewers a chance to delve into the timeless and poignant narratives Mark has left behind. In a world saturated with sensationalized imagery, Mark's work serves as a reminder of the power of photography to illuminate the forgotten corners of our shared humanity.
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