https://www.sanjayausta.in/fading-strains-of-varanasi/ Journalist / Photographer Thu, 29 Sep 2016 07:23:58 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.10 https://www.sanjayausta.in/fading-strains-of-varanasi/#comment-107292 Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:18:37 +0000 http://localhost/fast3cycle_backup/sanjayausta/website/?p=22504#comment-107292 A place where traditional/classical music is as regular a fare as fastfood is at metros, it’s appalling our PM’s chosen constituency is in such cultural shambles.
Considering the PM’s clarion call for preserving our ‘cultures’ & ‘traditions’ and ethos, the pathetic condition of our musicians takes away any hope one may have from the government in making life better for these artistes.
Don’t know much about the rest of the country, but classical music – vocal & instrumental – is quite popular at centres such as Kolkata & Chennai. It’s heartening to see regular programmes featuring novices and advanced players being conducted free-of-cost across the city. This is an encouraging practice.
Am sure a lot of youngsters do find the classical arts interesting, and perhaps a lot of them do not pursue it due to ‘practical’ reasons – the stability factor and earning potential of such pursuits is questionable. However, with the Internet, a lot of them are ‘exporting’ their skillset to a discerning audience, not only within the country, but also abroad.
It’s a small population at the helm of this struggle to keep our heritage alive, but there are pockets of hope even in the most dismal of scenarios. 🙂
Lovely piece. Thank you for highlighting this aspect of Varanasi.

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