Pushkar's 'Tigress' Pappu Devi: Viral Photo Sparks Renewed Interest After 20 Years
An old photograph from Pushkar has resurfaced and is circulating widely across social media platforms. The image is simple yet captivating, showing a woman with rare yellow-green eyes that many once compared to a tigress. Nearly two decades after the photo was taken at the Pushkar fair, the woman in that frame, Pappu Devi, is back in the public conversation. As the image spreads online, people are increasingly curious to know who she is and what she is doing today.
The Photograph That Travelled Across Cities
According to a report by News 18, the picture was captured around 20 years ago during the annual Pushkar fair in Rajasthan. At that time, Pappu Devi was working as a street vendor at the fair. A photographer noticed her intense gaze and decided to capture her portrait. Her eye colour stood out dramatically, with the deep yellow-green shade surprising many viewers. Soon, the photograph began appearing on postcards, and over time, it became part of tourist memorabilia, seen in postcard racks in several cities, as mentioned in the report. Now, with social media bringing old moments back to life, that same image is being widely shared again, reigniting interest in her story.
Who Is Pappu Devi Today?
As detailed in the News 18 report, Pappu Devi is now in her late 30s and continues to live in Pushkar. She runs a small pavement stall where she sells handmade Banjara-style bags and souvenirs. At her stall, she also sells postcards that feature her own photograph from the fair, turning the image that once gained attention years ago into part of her daily business. Last year, she told The New Indian Express that she does not belong to the Banjara community, but someone had once suggested she dress like one because it suited her eyes.
Her Family and Her Daughters' Eyes
Pappu Devi is married to a safari driver and has three daughters. According to The New Indian Express, two of her daughters have inherited her light-coloured eyes. Her daughters help her at the stall, calling out to tourists to buy the mirror work bags. Many visitors are surprised when they see the eyes of Pappu Devi and her daughters, with some even asking if they are wearing lenses. The family consistently affirms that the eye colour is natural, adding to the intrigue and charm of their story.
Back in the Spotlight
Almost 20 years after a single photograph brought her initial attention, Pappu Devi continues her life in Pushkar. She manages her stall, raises her daughters, and meets tourists who still notice her eyes. As the old image finds a new audience online, her story has once again become a topic of discussion, highlighting how viral moments can resurface and capture public imagination across generations.
