People Watching in Varanasi 2

Let’s move from people watching in the past to that in the present time, and from that in books to that in life.

It’s important for a people watcher to always remember that it is an art, not a science. Yet, there are certain pointers that may be helpful for doing it safely and satisfactorily in Varanasi. It’s not participant observation of Anthropology and Social Psychology. It’s closer to a kind of modified flânerie.

• Camouflage for people watching: That becomes difficult if you are racially different. Even for those who look like the people they want to watch in Varanasi, there’s a tip. Dress like an average Banarsi. How to do that? Observe keenly for a day or two, and then choose wisely from what you have brought. Camouflage well because an observer cannot afford to attract observers to himself. 
• Don’t follow schedules: People watching is very much like drifting, the only difference is that it has one definite goal. As there’s nowhere you want to reach, no circuit or path to follow, only a goal, i.e. observing those around you, just imbibe the plethora of perceptions around you. 
• Lose your camera: Camera is a bane for people watchers (and a boon for street photographers). The moment your camera becomes visible, you declare your outsider/observer status. That makes your ‘subject’ conscious of your presence and even behave artificially, posing for the camera. Moreover, a camera makes quiet and focussed observation impossible. So, at least for the first few days, just don’t carry it along.