This piece reflects on the striking presence of fisherwomen along India’s Konkan coast, documented by photographer Indrajit Khambe in Harnai. It captures their daily rhythm, arriving before sunrise, engaging in competitive fish markets, and navigating physically demanding labour, while maintaining a distinct sense of pride and self-expression. Central to the narrative is their gold jewellery, both aesthetic and symbolic, representing financial independence and agency. Through moments of work, rest, and camaraderie, the article highlights their resilience, leadership, and deep-rooted sisterhood, ultimately challenging conventional ideas of strength and redefining what empowerment can look like.
Whenever my dad and I visit Udupi, we drive down to the port to catch the sunrise. Without fail, even before the sun peeks out, the fisherwomen have already arrived with their fresh catch of the day, ready for the fish bidding wars. But even at that early hour, when most of us are still sound asleep, they show up looking pristine. Hair in the cleanest, tightest buns, adorned with flowers (clean girl aesthetic, who?). Sarees pleated to perfection, with hands and ears adorned in jewellery — all gold. They look like goddesses.
Based out of Sindhudurga, a coastal town located along the Konkan coast of Maharashtra photographer, Indrajit Khambe documented this very subculture in the fishing community. “These fisherwomen from Harnai are so graceful. They are very hardworking, aggressive in their fish business, and have great leadership qualities”, he says while talking about why he chose them to be his subject.
It captures them in their element. Counting the cash they made that morning, sifting through the catch of the day and taking short kokum breaks to beat the glaring Konkan heat. But most importantly, it shows us their sisterhood. The way they are each compatriots and confidantes, helping each other by leaning on each other, even though the fish business is cut throat and extremely competitive.
Their jewellery stands out, like a glimmer of extraordinary in a sea of mundane. The pieces they wear are inspired by their bread and butter: fish. Putting together the money they make from their work and investing it into gold, usually the only form of real estate a woman can own. It gives them agency, power and autonomy. It is a sign of their capabilities to strive beyond their households. Khambe reminisces about his time photographing them and says, “I remember once I asked a fisherwoman where I could get such earrings made. She smiled and said, “Don’t even think about making them now — you won’t be able to afford them anymore.”
Their work is not glamorous, in fact it is laborious, time consuming and sometimes even painful. But they do not let their labour strip them off their beauty and self-expression. They show up every morning, before the sun is fully awake, not diminished by the weight of their work, but defined by it. What Khambe’s photographs leave us with is a reminder that strength does not always look rugged and that resilience can be adorned.
If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:
Inside 'Silly Work', An Editorial Series Where Colour, Chaos, & Corporate Come Together
Padani Kandagama x Rkive City Brought Sri Lankan Influences To The Paris Fashion Week Season
JQUEEN & Surmeyi Come Together On A Power Anthem That Celebrates Tamil Heritage