Varanasi – Dave Krunal

Part of Dave’s Polaroid Journal

There are two photographs in each section. The first is a zoomed photo, and the other is an actual Polaroid photo. The intent of my photo journal is to capture what inspired me to take a photo, how I reflect when I look at the photo, and the lessons I learned.

1. Boats Don’t Discriminate

I shot this photo early in the morning at Dashashwamegh Ghat. I had a hot lemon tea while embracing the view of Ganga. It was full of contrast. The river was calm, and people on the ghat were sunk in their activities – prayers, sipping tea, doing kriya and photographers like me. But the chaos was not limited to ghat. Do you see a man having a shower in the lower left corner of the frame? I went near the platform and saw these boats. It felt like different characters. Full of diversity. They were ready for the day to accept people to be part of the journey. No matter which religion they belong to. Whether they even believe in god or not. The boat also felt like a metaphor, inspiring me to accept people as they are, without discrimination. I filled the frame with only boats, but I also wanted to capture the distance and the fog. I stabilized my hand, held my breath, and clicked!

2. Love You Mother & Mother Tongue

I was asking for the best Kachori suggestion to the vendor and asked for photo permission. I wanted to capture the house and a photo of the men. It’s the house of Bharatendu Harishchandra – an Indian writer, poet and playwright. The vendor asked me not to miss the two lines of the poem (lower third in the photo, two lines written in red font on the yellow wall)

निज भाषा उन्नति अहै, सब उन्नति को मूल ।
बिन निज भाषा-ज्ञान के, मिटत न हिय को सूल ।।

विविध कला शिक्षा अमित, ज्ञान अनेक प्रकार।
सब देसन से लै करहू, भाषा माहि प्रचार ।।

Translation:
Progress is made in one’s own language (the mother tongue), as it the foundation of all progress. Without the knowledge of the mother tongue, there is no cure for the pain of heart. Many arts and education infinite, knowledge of various kinds. Should be taken from all countries, but be propagated in one’s mother tongue.

3. Night Market, Girja Ghar Crossing

It was dark. I was sceptical about the exposure, but I still took a chance. Shot in the busy bazaar in Varanasi. At least those neon red lights brought some character.

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19. Green Curiosity

My were scanning to capture the characters and characteristics of Varanasi. I saw this young vegetable vendor arranging a mix of veggies in the morning. The vegetables looked as green as his hope to make money for the day. I asked if I could take the photo. He was fine. But his curiosity was triggered when he saw a photo from my camera. I showed him the photo, and he had a big smile. I couldn’t capture that happiness in the photo, but his neutral expression reminds me of how joyful he was right after I shot this photo.

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