Part Two - Narrative: Project Two - Image and text: Exercise 2 - Illustrating a poem

Exercise 2 of Project 2 (Image and Text) requires us to chose a poem that resonates with us and interpret it through photographs by giving a sense of the feeling of the poem and the essence it exudes.  The poem I have chosen is called Varanasi, The Holy City and is by S.D. Tiwari.  I have contacted Mr Tiwari for permission to reproduce the poem in full in this post, but while I am waiting for a response, here is the link:

http://allpoetry.com/poem/9310815-Varanasi--the-Holy-City-by-S.-D.-Tiwari

As the title suggests, the poem is about the Holy City of Varanasi in India, which is situated on the Ganges, India's holy river.  The first verse of the poem describes the holy act purification of the soul by bathing in the Ganges, a shrine for Hindu people.  The second verse describes the morning rituals, the mantras and hymns that pilgrims sing, and the fact that by virtue of being there and participating, you are already in heaven.  The third verse goes on to explain that Budhism was also founded in Varanasi and great artistic creations have taken place.  So in essence, the poem to me speaks of the cycles of purification, state of heaven, birth and the subsequent enlightenment that we can achieve.

My photos that illustrate this cycle (all shot in Varanasi) are:

Websites:

• Varanasi, the Holy City, by S.D. Tiwari, in All Poetry available from http://allpoetry.com/poem/9310815-Varanasi--the-Holy-City-by-S.-D.-Tiwari [accessed 3 November 2014]