Ganga Lai and Gaura Bai were born in Kankanahalli, Mysore, India, in 1899 (or 1911) and appeared at the Paris Exposition in 1931. Pygopagus twins, they were examined by British Indian doctors at Calcutta in 1933. The radiograph below was taken at this time and shows the twins' joined hips. On July 25, 1949, Ganga suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and slipped into a coma. For three years, Gaura carried her unconscious twin, until Ganga's death in 1952 at Bangalore's Victoria Hospital. Thirty minutes later, Gaura complained of breathing difficulties. Within the hour she, too, was dead.

Left: Gangalai and Gourabai at the Paris Exposition, 1931. Press photo, Paul Colston Collection. Original caption reads, "Des Soeurs Siamoises...Hindoues a Paris. Les celebres soeurs siamoises Gaurabai et Ganganbai, originaires de Mysore aux Indes, sont arrivees a Paris. Elles se produiront au Parc des Attractions de l'Exposition. Pendant que Melle Gauganbai joue, sa soeur fait de la centelle."*

Updated 9.30.06. *This is an approximate transcription, as my HTML editor will not allow the use of diacritical (accent) marks.