Other Cultures - Blessing

Imtiaz Dharker  • Born in Pakistan, raised in Glasgow and now lives in India, so work spans European European and and Indian Indian cultures. cultures. In ‘Blessing’, ‘Blessing’, trying to show Westerners what it’s like to be short of water. Writes in a free, speech-like style.

Blessing is a poem by Imtiaz Dharker . Set in a slum called Dharavi , in India. India. It describes the pandemonium that would occur if a huge water tunnel were to burst and shower the parched locals with water . The water is described, as "the voice of a kindly god", "silver" and a "blessing". Religious Religious imagery is used throughout the poem, including the description of the clamoring locals as a " congregation". congregation ".

The skin cracks like a pod

DUAL MEANING: Skin / ground SIMILE: cracks - dryness

There is never enough water  Imagine the drip of it, The small splash, echo

SIMPLE STATEMENT: Sets the scene for what follows

Can’t even remember water 

Even a little drop makes a big impact. impact. (in an empty cup, in a barren land, in their lives)

In a tin mug RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE: LANGUAGE:

The voice of a kindly god

The answer to their prayers

Extended Metaphor : shows the value of water 

RUSH : rushing water, rushing people, a feeling or  a ‘rush’

Sometimes, the sudden rush Of fortune. The municipal pipe bursts, Silver crashes Silver  crashes to the ground And the flow has found A roar of tongues. Rhyme: Rhyme: irregular, creates a feeling of chaos, or a rush

From the huts,

Religious Language: Language: a group in church – as if they worship the water.

A congregation congregation:: every man woman Child for streets around Butts in, with pots, Brass, copper, aluminium Plastic buckets Frantic hands, hands,

Short Lines: Lines: add to the rushing feeling

RUSH : This stanza moves very quickly compared to the imagining and religious feelings in other  stanzas

And naked children Screaming in the liquid sun, Their highlights polished to perfection,

Naked : feeling of purity, as with the water.

IMAGERY : Brightness and light… the water is like a miracle.

 ALLITERATION : brings attention to this line. Focuses on the life-giving quality of water’

Flashing light, As the blessing sings

BLESSING : water is seen as a gift. Many take it for  granted.

Reminds of first line: line :

Over their small bones.

skin and bones

FIRST STANZA: STANZA:

SECOND STANZA: STANZA:

THIRD STANZA: STANZA:

Focus on dryness

Water pipe bursts

Focus on Life

Dreaming / Imagining

Rushing / Sense of  Urgency

Thankfulness / Happiness

Desperation due to lack of water 

Fast paced. People are delighted.

Light, Blessing, Religious feelings

Questions

• What is the meaning of the simile in line 1? Is it effective and why? • Look at the use of onomatopoeia in the poem. How does the poem use them? • The poet changes the rhythm in the third thi rd stanza. How and why? • How does the poet compare the children to the water containers? Why? • What is the poet saying about water and religion by using so many religious terms? • Compare the first and last stanzas: How many differences can you spot? (Consider sound, structure, word and sentence level features.)