Human Flower Project
Orrington, MAINE USA
Murrieta, CALIFORNIA USA
Princeton, MAINE USA
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Rain Letters
Sandy Ao, photographer and friend, showers us with West Bengal’s cultures of rain.
Citizens of Kolkata wade the streets at the end of the monsoon, October 2009
Photo: Sandy Ao
Note: In May, reading reports of cyclone Aila that struck West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh, we contacted our friend in Kolkata Sandy Ao, with alarm. Over the past several months, she’s been writing to us about how rain shapes the culture of the region. September’s monsoon is a season of myth and very real power. It brings relief, disarray, death, and celebration. Thank you, Sandy!
May 27, 2009
Dear Julie,
This cyclone was a most welcome one for a change!
We did not have rain for months. Actually during the last 8 months, we had some dust storms and a spell of rains for 2/3 occasions only. Normally we have rain during Saraswati Puja. Or at least during Good Friday. But this year not even a drop of rain was there.
We had the heat waves throughout the country, and Kolkata had the hottest day with Mercury touching 43c.+ (109.4F). So we feel this strong wind and rain almost like God sent!
Culture & Society • Ecology • Gardening & Landscape • Permalink