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Interpreting Octavio Paz through photo-poetry dialogues

| | Apr 07, 2017, at 08:55 pm
Dhaka, Apr 5 (IBNS): A recent photo-poetry exhibition inaugurated in the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where photographers interpreted the work of Mexican poet and diplomat, Noble Laureate Octavio Paz, in their own way.

Called 'Octavio Paz: Photo-Poetry Dialogues', the exhibition was inaugurated by Ambassador of Mexico to Bangladesh, Melba Pría,  and  Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Abu Ahsan Mohammad Shamsul Arefin Siddique.

Octavio Paz (1914-1998) was a Mexican poet, writer, essayist, diplomat, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990.

He is recognized as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century and one of the greatest Hispanic poets of all times.

Paz was also Ambassador of Mexico in India from 1962 to 1968; a country which marked his works deeply, as seen in several examples of his writings like 'Glimmer of India', 'The Gramatic Monkey' or the book of poems 'Ladera este.

In 'Octavio Paz: Photo-Poetry Dialogues', Indian photographers, Subrata Biswas and Adil Hasan, along with Indian poet Sudeep Sen, inspired by the works of Octavio Paz during his tenure as Ambassador of Mexico in India, have, through the lens of their cameras, portrayed their interpretations of Paz’s poetry such as “The Tomb of Amir Kushro”, “In the Lodi Garden”, The Mausoleum of Humayun”, “The Balcony” in the installation.

The reflections of Paz during his time in India, and his unique perspective and observations of New Delhi in the 1960s were an inspiration for these talented artists to seek what Paz saw then, and attempt to bring it back to life in a celebration of his life and work.

Sharp contrasts in shades, aesthetic balance and subject matter characterized this collection of works, some of which were selected to participate in reputed photo festivals.

With the collaboration of the group “Los Hispanófilos” in Kolkata, Bengali translations of Octavio Paz´s poems were presented as well.

In addition, four photographers presented their take on a selection of six poems by Octavio Paz as seen through their respective lens.

The exhibition was organised in association with the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Bangladesh headed by Honorary Consul, Faisal Morshed Khan, and the University of Dhaka.

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