Talented Omani-Lebanese travel photographer Rana Khadra is showcasing a fascinating collection of photographs that shine a bright spotlight on headpieces worn by people in various parts of the world.
The exhibition, entitled Ala Rasi, features 20 images – most of them from the Middle East and North Africa region – that bring out the different culture and traditions and the similarities uniting people.
It’s being held at La Fontaine, Manama, until the end of March.
Ala Rasi is an Arabic phrase that literally translates to ‘on my head’ in English but really means ‘at your service’.
“The headpiece is a sign of belonging and pride, and it serves as a link to the past,” Ms Khadra told the GDN.
“In my photos, you can see people from all over the globe, wearing various headpieces expressing their rich culture and heritage, which I find beautiful and enjoy capturing,” the 36-year-old added.
“I was deeply inspired by a man I met on Al Mutannabi Street in Baghdad, who greeted me with the Arabic expression ‘Ala Rasi’, while running his hands on his head.
“I believe he reflects the true spirit of Arabs through his warm greetings and friendliness. It was combined with the beautiful way Iraqis speak Arabic. So, I chose him as the exhibition’s main image.”
Headdresses are worn for many purposes, including protection of the head or hair from rain, wind, dirt, cold, warmth. It’s used for fashion, recognition or social distinction; with religious significance attached to it in some cultures. It’s also worn to hide baldness, out of modesty or other forms of social convention.
A large majority of traditional headgears in Africa were designed to rise in height from the crown of the head, and often included items such as feathers, animal skin or hides. Sometimes they were decorated with bead work, embroidery, paint, leaf fronds, porcupine quills or other animal parts.
One of Ms Khadra’s striking images at the exhibition is that of Nyoman Laisa and Ni Made Cenik, a couple she met in Ubud, Indonesia.
“Despite years of marriage, this couple act like they just met and I was inspired to capture their energy together,” she said.
“He is a farmer and they live in a beautiful temple house in a village near Ubud. He proudly posed with his rooster and a headpiece on his head.”
The Dubai-based creative, who works as a colour and creative manager – Middle East, India and Africa at Jotun Paints, said her images are always candid.
“You can feel the authenticity of an image, with each one telling a unique story,” she added.
Ms Khadra has travelled to more than 45 countries, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Oman and Nepal, in an attempt to capture the raw beauty of cultures.
“Every country and individual has a beauty that should be captured. We live in a sometimes unpleasant world and I believe my photographs demonstrate peace and that we are more closely collected than we realise,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to the La Fontaine team who personally invited her to stage an exhibition in Manama.
“It’s always an honour when someone contacts me and invites me to present my work at their venue. I started photography as a hobby around seven years ago, and it’s a great feeling to look back and see what I’ve accomplished.”
The creative has also staged similar exhibitions in Dubai and Malaysia.
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