Kashi’s daunting ghats, bustling streets come alive at exhibition

Lucknow: The shades of Kashi are on display in the photography exhibition titled ‘Soul Of Kashi', which began at Kokoro Art Gallery on Thursday.Displaying photographer Shailendra Kumar's work, the exhibition will be open to the public from Friday until March 20, 11 am to 7 pm daily.
The exhibition was curated by Prof Vandana Sehgal, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University.Applauding the exhibition, she said that visitors will get an opportunity to witness the timeless soul of Kashi, its daunting ghats, and its beautiful skyline with bustling streets in the photographs on display. As many as 22 photographs clicked by Kumar from 1984 to 2026 are displayed in the exhibition.A dedicated section on "Bhasma Holi" is a major attraction of the exhibition. The photographs depict ash-smeared ascetics, swirling clouds of sacred bhasma, and expressions suspended between trance and celebration.Apart from people taking a dip in the Ganga, the photographs also capture geometrical patterns formed by the light as it creeps through temple motifs and reflects off the river bed. The exhibition also highlights human activities, including boatmen navigating through the water, widows in silent prayer, children flying kites, and artisans crafting garlands in bustling lanes.