Swatantratic Banares

In some countries, a couple can display affection as they please, where they please;
In India, this can land you in prison, but, a couple is free to carry on a conversation while taking a dump in open air on the railway tracks

In some countries, the place of animals is in the zoo, the forest and in farms
In India, a cyclist will attempt to avoid trampling on a dog or a cat, curse at a chicken or a hen, bathe with the ducks, and touch the bulls and cows with reverence to the Lord

In some countries, getting an official paperwork (or any other kind of work for that matter) done is as simple as visiting the appropriate office
In India, this can take you on a roller coaster emotion ride, make you frustrated and angry
It might also give you the opportunity to make a new friend and earn an abundance of patience

In some countries, you might be called Mr., Mrs. or Ms. and be treated with ‘Thank yous’, ‘Excuse mes’ and ‘You’re welcomes’,
In India, a stranger will call you his friend by getting to know your name, your country of origin, your age, your marital status, and all, in a matter of seconds

In some countries, people thrive to achieve a high level of hygiene and cleanliness
In India, people drink, bathe and clean their tongues in the water of a river where human and animal corpses float, in water infested with human waste, human spit, mud, debris, flowers, candles…
This water is considered holy

To the eyes,
India is color, animals on the street, men in mustaches, cycles, rickshaws, scooters, cars, crowded streets, electric wires hanging in a half-hazard way, saris, kurtas, chappals, bare feet, people, people, people…

To the nose,
India is the smell of pollution, jasmine, garbage, incense sticks, cow dung, human waste, flowers, aamrit, bhaajiya, masala chai…

To the ears,
India is honking, the murmur of people, the shouting of people, the “Hello, where are you from?” from small kids, the “Bhagwan aapko duha kareinge, do rupiya dein na” from the beggars, the constant nagging of women forcing you to eat until you explode, the traffic, bollywood songs, religious songs… the buzz-buzz buzzing of existence…

To the tongue,
India is paneer tikka, wadha pav, kaju katri, chicken tikka, masala chai, lassi, chapattis, naans, dosas, uttapas, ladus, bhaigan sabzi, kulfi, doklas, mithais….

To the touch,
India is dust, silk, pashmina, a slap on the face during an accident, the hand shake of strangers wanting to know you, the continuous poking of beggars, the different colored powders of holi, vibhuthi, the feet of saints and idols, the blessings of your parents, grand-parents and every uncle and aunties, the left hand on top of the right hand while in posture of meditation…

To the heart,
India is anger, frustration, fatigue, awe, wonder, admiration, incomprehensiveness, despicability, magic, laughter, tears and to me, love of a different level, as complex, weird and infinite as the universe.

Varanasi depicts the essentialism spirit of India.