Water : Binding Communities
A Photo Story by Dhwani Sahetai
The walled city of Jodhpur is located in the Thar desert of West India. In order to sustain the life of its people, the city has magnificent structures which conserve every drop of rainwater- a holy and essential resource for survival. The city constitutes a network of diverse and traditional water structures at various scales, including reservoirs, lakes, tanks, ponds, stepwells, and wells. Most of these water structures are still intact and actively used, showing their value and importance in people’s life. The settlements form, live and thrive around the special bond of communities with these water structures.
In addition to being an amenity, these water structures offer an ideal space for social gatherings and interactions. While fetching water, people can be found performing religious rituals, talking to each other, laughing, playing and seeking other such leisurely activities. Thus, they emerge as important social infrastructure in the city, which brings together various communities. Found in various pockets of the streets, this essential resource is also shared between various communities without any discrimination. The value and appreciation of water and its infrastructure is not limited to human lives. Earthen or stone pots filled with water for animals can be seen at many places around these structures. This wholesomeappreciation of life’s dependency on water, and the humane and empathetic treatment of its infrastructure, is what makes Jodhpur, truly unique as a city.
This photo-series captures the ‘every day’, in the walled city of Jodhpur, revealing intimate details of the city’s identity. Each photograph is a singular moment of sharing, serving and empathising and tells the viewer a story of compassion, community and kindness.
The photo-story contains a series of photos taken during the site visit for an academic research thesis ‘Water and Urban public spaces: a spatial study of wells of Jodhpur’.
With an intension of helping and serving.
A thirsty old man passing by, with a sigh of relief Had a sip and gave a blessing.
A crowd of pots gazing at the street,
With an intension of helping and serving.
A thirsty old man passing by, with a sigh of relief Had a sip and gave a blessing.
A dog loitering on her usual path,
Knew exactly where she was going.
Her speed accelerated near the well,
She halted, she drank, she went along the same path.
It’s 10 am and the well was ready to offer its water.
People started coming one after the other, with a giggle and tinkle of the vessel, First fetched water then offered it back, with a chant and a prayer of gratitude.
The son asked his dad,
How many buckets to carry today?
He replied with a smile,
2 buckets for us and 1 for our neighbour.
Two companions, getting along
One offers happily and other accepts gratefully. They cross their paths several times a day,
To talk and share their stories.
The hardworking construction workers, Going to and fro with the sack full of stones. Stopping near the temple ‘pyaoo’
And getting prepared for the next round.
‘Toorji ka Jhalara’ waiting for his regular tourists.
Serving his beauty with a welcoming smile,
Accepting garbage and trash with a smile,
And welcoming that regular face and a cleaning net with a wider smile.
The resorvoir at the end of the city,
Sitting alone most of the day.
Lightens up when kids come to play either cricket or holi, And offers it’s land, it’s water and it’s heart.
The stepwell at the heart of the city
Has experienced many good and bad days. But she feels comfortable and safe,
When people understand the value she offers.
