The Misfits

Migrated from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in the 1950s, the Telugu diaspora of Bangladesh have strewn around three or four cities and the districts therein; most of the ones based in the capital city of Dhaka live in a scavenger colony near Gopibag. Apart from the social corollaries of living as a diaspora, being Hindus and Christians in a Muslim-majority country means that they end up holding jobs that are more than a few steps behind the occupational ladder. Living in less than hospitable conditions and little to no recognition as a community wouldn't put a stop to their ambitions, however, especially those of the young boys—no matter how vaguely ludicrous they may seem.

The young ones of the colony will catch your eye from miles away. Glowing trinkets, trendy sunglasses, and a hair dye so at odds with their complexion that it almost comes off like strings of sequin—these scenes fill up the colony at least once every year. This is punk fashion. Yet it's not a diversion. Then why do they do it? They want to be famous. They take in the extravaganza of South Indian movies almost ritually and take up these guises to follow in the footsteps of their icons, almost literally. They're not here to hide their light under a bushel. They want to guarantee that you're in the audience, clapping and cheering, while they walk away into the sun.

PHOTOS & TEXT: NAYEM SHAAN