Creative Writing Field Seminars

Mighty, Magical Ganga: India

Origin and destination, the mystical located in the most inescapable of realities, the Ganges embodies India. Pilgrimage points along its banks are a series of living historical moments where travelers stop next to the constant change of the flowing river. Irrigation systems, dams, industries, hydro-electric power plants and tourist hotels brush up against shrines, temples, ghatts, towns and villages. At a variety of guest houses, ashrams and camp sites, students can workshop their own writing about the river scene itself as well as respond to lectures and demonstrations in AyerVeda, Yoga, Mughal and Hindu art, Urdu and Hindi poetry, classical and folk dance. In preparation and on route we will read and discuss some of the vast variety of travel narratives about this famous destination Possible texts: Twain, Following the Equator; Jagmohan, The Ganga Trail; Shiva, Water; Newberg, Slowly down the Ganges; Shukla and Shiva , Ganga, a Water Marvel; Alter, Sacred Waters; Pilgrimage up the Ganges.