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Varanasi - Beyond Life

A BEAUTIFUL, HAUNTING GLIMPSE OF INDIA’S MOST AUSPICIOUS PLACE TO DIE

In the north of India lies the holy cit of Varanasi. Widely accepted as the cradle of the Hindu religion, this auspicious place on the banks of the river Ganges, is where India’s mythology comes to life.

Hindus believe that Varanasi is a portal to heaven. And hence the dying converge here in their thousands, awaiting salvation. While the ashes of the dead are brought from different parts of the country, to be immersed by the living in the holy Ganga.

‘Varanasi - Beyond Life’ draws inspiration from this rich contrast - a city that’s teeming with life, only to usher the dead to the next plain. It is a visual celebration of the one thing, that we’ve been driven to fear from birth. Death.

By bringing the living and the dead together on a rich canvas like the holy city of Varanasi, this film creates a masterful visual experience that is not easily forgotten.

  • Ayas
    Director
  • Ayas
    Cinematography
  • Ayas
    Editor
  • Ayas
    Colorist
  • Rahul Prabhakaran
    Sound Design
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 5, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ayas

Aeyaz is an aspiring film maker from India currently settled in Dubai and trying my hands on cinematic travel and documentary films. Apart from filming, I’m a VFX artist. I work as the head of CG at Dejavu, a film production company based in Dubai Media City.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Varanasi, The spiritual capital of India - a place where people come from all over the country to breathe their last, and immerse the ashes in the holy Ganges for the beginning of a new life. A visit to Varanasi has always been in my bucket list, and being able to film there was like an icing on the cake.

Honestly, words fail to describe what I have seen while on this epic trip with Photowalk Dubai. No wonder Varanasi is called the "City of Life". Simply love this place. And this is my attempt to give you a sense of what it was like to experience the amazing "Varanasi" and the mysterious vicious cycle of life and death...

"Varanasi - Beyond Life" - A personal project shot, edited and directed by me. Have put my heart and soul into it.