Who is Pappu Devi? The story of Pushkar’s tiger-eyed woman with rare yellow-green eyes

An old photograph from Pushkar has once again started circulating widely on social media. The image is simple, but it has left many people talking. It shows 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 public conversation. As the image spreads online, people are 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 clicked 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. The deep yellow green shade surprised many and soon the photograph began appearing on postcards. Over time, the image became part of tourist memorabilia and was 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.

Who is Pappu Devi?

As mentioned 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. The image that once gained attention years ago has now become part of her daily business.

Last year, she told The New Indian Express that she does not belong to the Banjara community. She shared that 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 and call out to tourists to buy the mirror work bags. Many visitors are surprised when they see the eyes of Pappu Devi and her daughters. Some even ask if they are wearing lenses.

The family says the eye colour is natural.

Back in the spotlight

Almost 20 years after a single photograph brought her 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.

Thumb image: Instagram