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In 1978, at the age of twenty-eight, Steve McCurry left his job as a newspaper photographer in Philadelphia to pursue one of his greatest dreams: visiting India.

Armed with two hundred rolls of film, he set out from the United States. From that moment on, his love for India only deepened, leading to dozens of unforgettable photographs of the subcontinent.

McCurry loves to immerse himself among people, meeting a multitude of individuals from all walks of life—like the snake charmer depicted in this image.

The Vada people work with snakes to earn their living. Performing for locals and tourists alike is dangerous work. Though bites are rare, snake charmers always carry antidote serum with them.

Here, a young man proudly presents his snake to Steve McCurry’s camera.