Octavio Paz, the Mexican poet, essayist, and diplomat, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990, establishing his position as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. 

He seamlessly combined surrealist influences with a profound interest in Mexican history and mythology. His poetry frequently examines themes of love, and solitude. 

Although firmly grounded in his cultural background, Paz's work goes beyond local borders to explore universal questions about human existence. 

Octavio Paz arrived in India in 1951, and reflecting on his experience, he wrote in ‘In Light of India' that everything he saw in India was like a re-emergence of long-forgotten images of Mexico.

Although Paz extensively explored Indian history, politics, and culture in his writings, his poetry aimed to convey the enchantment of Indian architecture. His poems about Delhi stand out as some of the most profound and vivid descriptions of the city ever crafted.

Read here one of his well-known poems, “As One Listens to the Rain” - 

Listen to me as one listens to the rain,
not attentive, not distracted,
light footsteps, thin drizzle,
water that is air, air that is time,
the day is still leaving,
the night has yet to arrive,
figurations of mist
at the turn of the corner,
figurations of time
at the bend in this pause,
listen to me as one listens to the rain,
without listening, hear what I say
with eyes open inward, asleep
with all five senses awake,
it's raining, light footsteps, a murmur of syllables,
air and water, words with no weight:
what we are and are,
the days and years, this moment,
weightless time and heavy sorrow,
listen to me as one listens to the rain,
wet asphalt is shining,
steam rises and walks away,
night unfolds and looks at me,
you are you and your body of steam,
you and your face of night,
you and your hair, unhurried lightning,
you cross the street and enter my forehead,
footsteps of water across my eyes,
listen to me as one listens to the rain