Folk Art, Art and craft of Varanasi (Banaras)

This presentation is designed for graduate students, providing a basic introduction to the topic. Students are encouraged to consult the recommended books and articles for further details. This presentation is intended solely for academic purposes and is intended for students only. The pictures and maps included have been sourced from the internet, and the presenter is thankful to those sources; credit is given to all. This presentation is designed exclusively for academic purposes.

1. Performing art
Folk art and craft of Varanasi
Dr. Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
AIHC & Archaeology, BHU

2. Introduction
•काशी की स'ता का इितहास अ-./ाचीन है।
•ईसापूव8१८०० सेमानवी आवास के सा?
•महाजनपदयुग मEयहांकी स'ता काफीिवकिसत हो चुकी थी।राजघाटकाशी
जनपद की राजधानी थी
•सारनाथ मेमौय8काल सेलेकरबारहवRसदी तकहमअिविTUVप सेकाशी की
कला की Wिमक उUित और अवनित का अZयन कर सकतेह[।
•पर इसयुग के बा\/तीक कला का िजसमEमूित^कला, वा_ुकला, `ाप- कला,
आिद सेजाणकारी /ाc होती हैएव
•कला के Wिमक िवकास की एक अटूटधारा दीखपड़तीहै।

3. Art &Craft of Varanasi
.
1TextilesSilk, Saree
2GulabiMeenakariGold, silver, semi-precious stones
3Clay and Terracotta Works Clay
4Metal bell and Repousse Bamboo and wild reeds
5Bamboo Baskets Jute, linen, silk etc.
6Carpets and durries Semi-precious stones, silica
7Glass Beads Chunar sandstone
8Stone carvings Forest wood
9Wooden Toys Gold and silver
10Zardozi Badge
11Pottery

4. बनारसीव(कला
•बनारसीव(कला का उ,ेख /ाचीन 1ंथ4(यजुव8द तथा अ< 1ंथ4)म>िमलताहै।
•यहाँिनिमEतव(4के िलएकाशी, कािसक, कासीय, कािशक, कौशेयतथा ''वाराणसैMशN4का
/योग Qआहै।
•वेद4म>विणEतिहरT व((िकमखाब) भीकाशी के व(4के वणVन म>/ायःअितिविशXYेणी के व(
के Zप म>िकयागया हैतथा इनका/योग भीसम] भारतवषVम>होता था।
•वैिदक सािह_ म>िबनकारीके बQत शN जैसेओतु(बाना), तंतु (सूत), तंc (ताना),मन (करघा),
/ाचीनतान(आगेिखंचवाना), वाय(बुनकर), मयूख (ढ़रकी) आयेहै।
•पािलसािह_ म>भीकाशी के बने व(4के उ,ेख हi।
•इj>काशीकुkतमऔर कहm-कहmकासीयकहतेथे।
•यहाँका व(इतना/िसn थािकमहपािरिनवाVण-सूcका टीकाकार िविहत कqासपर टीका करते
Qएकहताहैिक भगवान बुn का मृत शरीर बनारसीव(सेलपेटा गया थाऔर वहइतनामहीनऔर
गढ़करबुनागया थािक तेल तकनहmसोखसकताथा।
•इसीतरहमिtममिनकाय1ंथ म>बनारसीकपड़ेके बाटीकपोत का उ,ेख वाराणसैMकनाम से
है।
•मिtममिनकाय: अनुसार काशी म>अvीकपास होती थी, वहाँकी किkतन>और िबनकरहोिशयार
होते थेऔर वहाँका नरम पानी (शायदगंगाजल) धुलाई के िलएबQत अvा पड़ताथा। ये व(
ऊपरऔर नीचेसेमुलायम और िचकनेहोते थे।
•

5. Textile
•VaranasiorBanaras,theworditselfcorrelatestothefamousBanarasi
SilkSarees.
•Varanasihasbeenahubofprosperityinthecottontextileindustryfor
ages.
•VaranasiisverypopularforitstypicalVaranasiZari/Zardozi
embroideryandBrocadeweaving.
•BanarasisareesmadeinVaranasiareamongthefinestsareesinIndia
•Banarasisareesareknownfortheirgoldandsilverbrocadeorzari,fine
silkandmagnificentembroidery.
•Thesareesarerelativelyheavyastheyaremadeoffinelywoven
silkandaredecoratedwithintricatedesignsandengravings.

6. Banarasi saree
•Their special characteristics are Mughal-inspired designs
•Such as intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs,kalgaandbel, a string of upright leaves calledjhallarat the outer edge of the border.
•Gold work is also remarkable
•Compact weaving, figures with small details, metallic visual effects, pallus, jal(a net like pattern), and mina work.
•Morethan12lakhhard-workingandskilfulpeopleareassociatedwiththehandloomsareeweavingcottageindustryinVaranasi.
•Banarassilkhasgaineddemandintheinternationalmarket.

7. व(कला
•रेशमी-व'बुननेवाल-कोप1गारतथा अ6 िबनकार-कोतंतुवाय कहाजाता था।
•काला=रम>प1गारके िलएपटुवाशB Cयोग होनेलगा और उसकेबाद पटुवासमूह जाितम>बदल गया।
•इसकेसमथKन म>हम>प1ा (रेशमी कपड़ेबूनने वाला) प1ंथुक(रेशमी व') जैसेशB भीिमलतेहO।
•बनारसीव'कला का एक नाम पाटेPरीिजसकाअथK है(िबनकर-) Rारा उST लUी।
•पटुवाजाितके लोगिनर=रइसWवसाय म>लगे रहे।
•ये लोगिबनकारीके अलावामाला एवंजेवर-की गुंथाईतथा कसीदाकारीके काम म>भीCवीण थे।
•भारत म>मुगल-के आगमन के बाद काफीउथल-पुथल]ईतथा अनेक समूह इ^ामधमK म>पिरवितaतहो गये।
•पटुवाजाितका भीएक बड़ािहcा इ^ामम>पिरवितaतहो गया।
•काशी म>अभीभीकुछपटुवापिरवार हO।

8. Embroidery
•ZardosiembroideryisfamousinVaranasi.
•Thedesignofthisparticularembroideryalsohasastrongimpressionoffolkart.
•Thetraditionalthreadworkisdoneusingrealthreadofgoldandsilver,whichmakesthefabricexpensive.
•Colourfulstonesandotheritemsaretheembellishmentsusedinmakingtheseproducts.
•Insteadofgoldandsilversomeartisansareusingsyntheticthreadfordifferentimpact.

9. Zardosiwork
•Zardosiwork is a hand-embroidery art form derived from the country's Indo-Iranian heritage.
•Various metallic threads in tones of gold, silver, and copper are used to create intricate motifs and pattern embroidery work
•In earlier times, thread s made of real gold and silver were used to create heavy lehengas, and suits.
•However, with time and cost-effective practices, artificial colour-dipped threads are now used to create beautiful fabric embroidery artwork.
•From bootiwork, floral designs to Mughal patterns and temple art, you can see
•Zardozi is embroidery, and Zari is the metallic thread used to create beautiful Zardozi art on clothes.
•Desired metal, convert them into thin metallic wires.
•These wires are then twisted and wrapped around silk threads to give them volume and a spring-like texture , which is visible in the close-up of the zardosiwork.
•Silk, cotton, satin, and velvet fabrics are used to create delicate zardozi work designs.

10. का+कला
•बनारसम'लकड़ीके िखलौनेतथा अ3 कला4क चीज78ाचीन समय से8िस; है
•8ाचीन >ंथोम', जातककथाओम'वाराणसी के काD कला के संदभG बHतयातम'8ाI होते है
•इसपेशे म'लगे कलाकार रेशमी वN7के िनमाGण की कला के समान ही समQ िवS म'वंदनीय है।
•पहलेबनारसम'केवल बU7के िखलौनेतथा िसVूरदानबनाएजाते थे, लेिकनआजकलबHत ही तरहकी चीज'बननेलगी ह[।
•िवS के बाज़ारम'भीइनके]ारा बनाएगएिखलौने, सजावट के समान एवंए_ू8ेसरके यं`7की अaीख़ासीमांग है।
•परcरागतdप सेकलाकारतथा लाल, हरा, नीलेएवंकालेरंगो का बHतयात8योग करते थे।
•

11. काg सेबननेवाली कलाकृितयाँ
•िसंदूरदानया िसंदूर रखनेकी िड0ी
•ब34के िखलौने
•चुसनी
•ल:ू•ब34के खेलनेके 'करनाटकी' पहलेकरनाटकीम?केवल जांता, Dास, तथा थाली Fआकरता था। आजकलकरनाटकीसेटके अJगLत27 आइटमआत?हN। इनम?सेमुO आइटमइसPकार है।
•थाली
•जांता
•ऊखली
•मुसल
•-ास (यहतीन का सेटहोता है। तीन7एक साइजके होते ह:)
•लोिटया(यहदोका सेटहोता है। दोन7एक साइजके होते ह:)
•बेगुना
•चु@ा
•चAी
•रोटी (यहदसका सेटहोता है। सभीरोटी का एक साइजहोता है।)
•तवा
•कलछुल
•काG कलाकार अपनेअिधकांशवMुNएवंिखलौन7का िनमाQण जंगली
लकड़ीिजसे'गौरेया' कहाजाता है, सेबनातेह:।
•गौरेयालकड़ीन तो बUत महंगीऔर न ही िकसीख़ासYयोजन की लकड़ी
है।
•िखलौन7के अलावालोगइसलकड़ीका Yयोग केवल(भोजन बनाने) की
लकड़ीके Zप म[करते ह:।
•गौरेयालकड़ीिबहार के पलामू एवंअ^ जगह7के जंगल7
तथािमजाQपुरआिद जगह7सेमंगायाजाता है।
•मंहगेिखलौनेतथा वैसेकाGकलािजa[बाहरख़ासकरिवदेश7म[िनयाQत
िकयाजाता है, सामा^तगौरेयाकी लकड़ीसेही बनाएजाते ह:।
•जो छोटे Mर के कलाकार ह:वे लकड़ीखुदरेके भाव सेख़रीदतेह:जबिक
बड़ेलोगिजनकेपास अbीख़ासीपूंजीहैसालभरके िलएलकड़ीएक
साथ ख़रीदकरजमा कर लेतेह:।

12. बनानेकी .ि0या•सव#$थम लकड़ीकोइि.त आकार म3काटिलयाजाता है।
•इसकेबाद उ?3खरादकरिविभC वDुFका िनमा#ण िकयाजाता है।
•काK-कला के िनमा#ण के तकनीकके आधार पर बनारसके काK-कलाकारNकोवगPम3िवभQ िकयाजा सकताहै:
a)वे जो परRरागतSप सेहाथसे'काK-कला' का िनमा#ण करते हT। तथा
b)वे 'काK-कलाकार' जो िबजली के मोटर सेचलने वालेखरादमशीनकी सहायतासे'काK-कला' का िनमा#ण करते हT।
•इनकेपिरवार के लोगलकड़ीके सांचे भीबनातेहTिजससेढलाईहोती है।
•अिधकांश'काK-कला' ख़ासकरिखलौने, बीड्स(मनके), इeािद आजकलखरादमशीनपर बनायाजाता है।
•खरादमशीनवालेअिधकांशलोग'खोजवा' के 'कfीरीगंज' म3बसे हT।
•जो 'काK-कलाकार' खरादपर काम करते हTउ?3'खरादी' कहाजाता है।
•िबजली आनेके पहलेमशीनहाथसेचलाईजाती थी।
•मशीनम3रgीलपेटकरएक iिQ बारी-बारी सेखjचताथा, जबिकदूसरा iिQ वDुFकोखरादताथा।

13. Wood items
•Wood carving in Varanasi
is very special and unique
for its amazing detail
carving of tiny
mythological characters
•(Ravana, Ram, Krishna
and many more), animals,
birds, gods and goddess.
•They look so bright and
fancy to display in cabinet.
•The articles are painted
with bright colors and to
enhance it black strokes
are made.

14. Wood Art
•Wood and Lac Turnery is a craft.
•जातकjसेपताहैिक महा-जनपद युग मEवाराणसी मEकाठ
का काम बlत सुmरबनता थाऔर वहांपnरका काम करने
वालेभीथे।
•In Hindu weddings the grooms apply
vermillion powder onto the bride’s forehead
in the center from the traditional Sindora
(Traditional container for vermillion).
•The Sindora is made out of the eucalyptus
wood in lac turnery process.
•Likewise many new designs of toys, bangles
and many designs of containers are crafted.

16. Repousse
•'Repousse' is a traditional technique in which a malleable metal is raised up from the surface by hammering from the reverse side to create a raised design on the front.
•'Chasing' is the opposite technique to repousse, i.e. the metal is pushed down into it from the front to refine the design on the front.
•Both are used in conjunction to create a finished piece.
•It is also known as 'Embossing’.
•The techniques of repousse and chasing utilize the plasticity of metal, forming shapes by degrees.
•There is no loss of metal in the process, as it is stretched locally and the surface remains continuous.
•The process is relatively slow, but a maximum of form is achieved with one continuous surface of metal sheet of essentially the same thickness.
•Direct contact of the tools used is usually visible in the result, a condition not always apparent in other techniques, where all evidences of the working method are eliminated.

17. Metal Art: Repoussé
•Repoussé is one of the art forms done on a metal sheet.
•Repoussé is nothing but a decorative engraving of a metal sheet to reveal the design relief.
•This craft is also one of the traditional crafts in Varanasi.
•Floral and flower motifs are most repeated in this craft.
•This craft is made using utensils, trays, plates, masks for gods and goddesses, bowls, ornamental doors for temples, ritual utensils, and temple accessories.

18. •Entirely handmade, repoussé is a
testament to unparalleled skill
and precision.
•The process begins with a
malleable metal sheet,
meticulously hammered from the
reverse to create precise, raised
patterns.
•With each strike, the artisans
breathe life into the metal—layer
by layer, form takes shape.
•Material- Pure Brass
•Speciality-The glorious outline
of Varanasi's Ghats, is
meticulously embossed onto a
brass canvas.
•Incredible in its details and a
mirror to the splendour of
Banaras as seen from the river
Ganga.

20. Gulabi Meenakari Craft
•Gulabi Meenakari traces its roots back to the Mughal era.
•The art of Meenakari, which involves the intricate enamel l ing of metal surfaces, was brought to Banaras by skilled artisans from Persia.
•Over time, it seamlessly blended with the city’s indigenous craftsmanship, giving rise to the distinctive Banaras Gulabi Meenakari style.
•Techniques and Process:
•Skilled artisans begin by crafting the base metalwork, typically using copper or silver, into desired forms such as jewellery, utensils, or decorative pieces.
•These pieces then undergo a series of intricate engraving and etching processes to create intricate patterns and motifs.
•The hallmark is its vibrant use of colors, particularly shades of pink and rose, known as ‘gulabi’ in Hindi.
•Each layer is fired at precise temperatures to ensure durability and brilliance, resulting in the characteristic lustrous finish that defines this craft.
•Floral patterns, paisleys, peacocks, and traditional motifs like the ‘kalash’ (urn) and ‘diya’ (lamp) are commonly featured,
• The craft also serves as a symbol of prestige and tradition,

21. Gulabi Meenakari Craft
•These pieces then undergo a series of intricate engraving and etching processes to create intricate patterns and motifs.
•The hallmark is its vibrant use of colors, particularly shades of pink and rose, known as ‘gulabi’ in Hindi.
•Each layer is fired at precise temperatures to ensure durability and brilliance, resulting in the characteristic lustrous finish that defines this craft.
•Floral patterns, paisleys, peacocks, and traditional motifs like the ‘kalash’ (urn) and ‘diya’ (lamp) are commonly featured,
• The craft also serves as a symbol of prestige and tradition,

22. Meenakari
•Antique fashions come alive in the city with exquisite work and ancient embroidery techniques, known as 'kal balta' and 'khinbab’.
•Meenakari is a form of art in which enamels of bright colours are used in ornamenting the intricately designed
•Many of the jewellery artisans have taken up Meenakari art because of its demand and beauty.
•The metal base is engraved enough for the bright colour enamels to set in place, later it is kept inside the furnace for fusing and hardening the enamel.
•Enamel colours are nothing but metal oxides mixed with a tint (chemicals with color contents) of finely powdered glass where the oxide content controls the shade obtained.
•Patterns, motifs and weaves of the past can still be found living in the works of the traditional weavers of Varanasi.
•Traditional designs and techniques with contemporary elements make their work more interesting.

23. Carpet Industry
•The city of light, Varanasi, and its nearby areas/towns are famous for carpet making.
•The Varanasi-Bhadohi-Mirzapur belt produces the maximum number of carpets and textiles in the country.
• The carpets produced in the Varanasi region are famous for their excellence in quality and design.
•Every carpet that is woven here has a distinctive grace and unmatched style that clearly displays the finest art of carpet weaving tradition of Varanasi and its surrounding areas.
•The people of this belt who have taken weaving and handicrafting as their business are the ones doing this work from generation to generation.
•It is family clan based profession out here.
•This carpet belt specializes in traditional Indian woolen carpets and Durries.

24. Carpet Weaving
•Another famous handicraft made in Varanasi is carpet weaving.
•From the 16th century, this art style has left footprints and inspired the next generation
•Today, it is the largest carpet manufacturing centre in the country.
•They are ornamented with attractive folk art-based patterns and look stunning.
•Wool and silk yarns are used in knotting them on cotton warp base in vertical loom. The knots are in Persian and
•Tibetan style. There are multiple processes followed through to make one carpet like spinning, dyeing, designing
•and weaving. Most of the carpet weavers in Varanasi are farmers. This craft initially began at the time of Mughals
•for prayer rugs and huge carpets to spread it around in the meeting halls.
•In this field, folk art has also shown its footprints by its artistic qualities, such as dark shades , leaves, birds , flower-based patterns,etc.

25. Pottery
•One of the ancient Tradition
•Pottery is also a great example of
showing the contribution of folk art in
this field.
•Pottery makers generally use some
patterns on these items for the sake of
their glory.
•Pottery is popular in Varanasi.

26. Ramlila
•रामलीला:रामनगरकी रामलीलाबेहद 8िस; है, िजसेकाशी नरेश ने 1783 म'शुgिकयाथा।
•इसम'महाकाh रामायण की कहानीकोनाटकीयgप से8Qुत िकयाजाता है।
•दशहरेके दौरानयहमंचनदसिदन7तकचलता है।
•कथक:यहकहानीसुनानेका एक पारंपिरक नृk gप है, जो पौरािणक कथाmऔर कथाmपर आधािरत होता है।
•रासलीला:यहएक नृk-नािटका हैजो भगवान कृp के जीवन और 8ेम कोदशाGतीहै। यहिवशेष अवसर7पर 8Qुत की जाती है।
•It depicts the lifeof Ram in form of play and dance. The entire Ramlila is sequence of plays which continue
•for varying durations between 7 to 30 days.
•The dance hasa spiritual connectivity and is quite popular in the ruralareas.
•Since this folk form is mainly performed duringDussehra festival, it makes the folk dance an innate part ofreligious culture and practice.
•The stage for Ramlilaperformance is decorated with props to create a scenefrom the play and in depth

27. रामलीला
•रामलीला, िजसकाशािsकअथG "राम का नाटक" है,
•रामायण महाकाh का एक 8दशGन हैिजसम'tu7की एक vृंखला म'गीत, कथन, गायनऔर संवाद सिwिलतहोते ह[।
•अयोxा, रामनगरऔर बनारस, वृंदावन, अyोड़ा, सzनाऔर मधुबनी की रामलीलाएँसबसेअिधक 8ितिनिधकह[।
•रामायण का यहमंचनदेश के उzर म', सबसेलोकि8य कहानीकहनेकी कला वालेgप7म'सेएक, रामचिरतमानस, पर आधािरत है।
•रामनगरके जैसीरामलीलाएँ, पूरेएक महीने तकचलती ह[।
•दशGक7कोगाने और कथन म'भाग लेनेके िलएआमंि`त िकयाजाता है।
•>ामीण सहजता सेभाग लेतेह[, भूिमकाएंिनभातेह[या िविभ~ 8कार की संबंिधत गितिविधय7म'भाग लेतेह[, जैसेिक मुखौटाऔर पोशाक बनाना, ंगार बनाना, पुतल7और रोशनी की तैयारीकरना।
•हालाँिक, संपकG साधन7का िवकास, िवशेष gप सेटेलीिवज़नधारावािहक, रामलीलाmके दशGक7म'कमी का कारण बन रहा है, और इसिलएरामलीलाएँ, लोग7और समुदाय7कोएक साथ लानेकी अपनी8मुख भूिमका, खोरही ह[।

29. नृ4 और संगीत
•वाराणसी के सांlृितक ताने-बानेका अिभC अंग, नृe और संगीत है
•वाराणसी, भारतीय शाoीय संगीत का एक जीवंतक3p है
•वाराणसी क) संगीत -वरासतइसकेबनारसऔर से3नयाजैसेघरान8सेऔर भीसमृ<ध हुईहै,
•िजनमCसेDEयेक घरान8मCअनूठIशैलL और MयाNयाएंहP।
•यहशहर संगीतकारNऔर संगीत िवqालयNसेसंपC है।
•वाराणसी के घाट भावपूण#िसतार, तबला और गायन$दश#न सेजीवंतहो उठते हT।
•रासलीलाऔर कथक सिहत नृe परंपराएँशहर की कलाuक िवरासतकोबढ़ातीहT।
•भारतीय शाoीय संगीत के साथ वाराणसी का जुड़ावबwत गहराहै, िजसनेकईउDादNकोसमृx िकयाहै
•एक िशzा और $दश#न क3p के {प म3िवकिसत wआहै।
•दुिनया भर सेसंगीतकार शहर के संगीतमयमाहौलम3डूबकरयंहाके $िसx गुSFसेसीखनेआतेहT।
•कलाकार िसतार, सरोद, बांसुरी और शाoीय रागNका $दश#न करते हT, जो आ|ािuक गहराईऔर भावपूण#$Dुित कोदशा#तेहT।

30. लोक नृ&
•शा?ीय संगीत के साथ-साथ, वाराणसी जीवंतलोक नृk7के िलए8िस; है।
•रासलीलाराधा और कpके िदh 8ेम कोउ?ाह के साथ िचि`त करती है।
•रंग-िबरंगेसजे-धजे नतGकअिभhंजकगितिविधय7और जीवंतपदया`ा के माxम सेभगवान कृp की कहािनय7कोजीवंतकरते ह[।
•कथक, जो सुंदरता और जिटल तरणतालके िलएजानाजाता है, कहानीकहनेकी ?मता, लय और माधुयG संलयनसेमं`मु? कर देता है।
•वाराणसी म'नृk और संगीत की िवरासतउQादिबि??ाहखान, िगिरजा देवी और उदय शंकर जैसी8िस; हिQय7]ारा समृ; है।
•उनकेयोगदान ने वाराणसी की सां?ृितक 8ितDा कोवैिSक मंचपर आलोिकतिकया।
•वाराणसी म'नृk और संगीत मनोरंजन सेपरे, आxाि4कताऔर कला4क िवरासतका 8तीक है।
•वे कलाकार7और दशGक7कोभावनाmऔर परमा4ा सेजोड़तेह[।

31. संगीत
•The history of music in Varanasi is long and traditional.
•वाराणसी, जो अपनीआ-ाि/क आभा और संगीत िवरासतके िलएजानाजाता है, =ुपद और धमरके Bाचीन शाEीय संगीत GपHकोसंजोताहै।
•=ुपद, िजसेभारतीय शाEीय संगीत की सबसेपुरानी शैिलयHमMसेएक माना जाता है, सिदयHसेवाराणसी मMफली-फूलीहै, जो अपनेशांत और -ानपूणQगुणHसेRोताSकोमंTमुU कर देतीहै।
•भिWऔर शांित मMिनिहत, =ुपद रचनाएँधीमीगित वालेलयबZच[Hऔर जिटल मधुर पैटनQके आसपास संरिचतहोती ह], जो रागHकी गहराईऔर सुंदरता कोउजागर करती ह]।
•=ुपद के साथ शहर के घिनb संबंध ने इसेइसBाचीन संगीत शैली के िलएउdृfता का कMg होनेकी Bितbा िदलाईहै।
•=ुपद का गहराआ-ाि/क Bभाव वाराणसी की तीथQयाTा और पूजा सेहै।
•धमारवाराणसी मMसमृZ एक और पारंपिरक संगीत शैली है।
•अiरभगवान कृj कोसमिपkत मंिदरHमMहोली जैसेिविशf mोहारHजाता है।
•पखावजजैसेवाoयंTHके साथ, एक बैरलके आकार का pम, धमारकी जीवंतधुनऔर मधुर वाqांशभगवान कृj के िदr Bेम का जsमनाते tएएक सuोहकऔर उvानकारीभिWअनुभव पैदा करते ह]।
•'Dhrupad', considered a speciality of Banarsi music
•'Dhamar', 'Hori' and 'Chaturang' have been the royal music of Varanasi
•Festivals like 'Jhoola', 'Jhoomer', 'Kajri', 'Dangal', 'Gulab Bari' and music festivals on boats.
•Several 'Gharanas' or families and legacies of Indian classical music are renowned in the city.
•The tradition of their style of music has been maintained from generation to generation.

32. ठुमरीऔर दादरा
•वाराणसी की समृf संगीत िवरासतठुमरीऔर दादरा जैसेशाhीय iप-के िलएCिसf है।
•ये मधुर शैिलयाँशहर म>फली-फूलीहO
•ठुमरीऔर दादराअपनीगीताlकसुंदरता और Cेम तथा भावनाmकी अिभWिo के िलएCिसf है
•ठुमरी, एक अधK-शाhीय गायनशैली, पारखी लोग-के िदल-म>एक िवशेष rान रखतीहै।
•िहंदुtानीशाhीय संगीत म>ठुमरीगहरीभावनाmकोउuािटतकरती है,
•अvरमनमोहक धुन-पर आधािरत काWाlकगीत-के माwम सेxार और अलगावकोWo करती है।
•वाराणसी के Cिसf गायक-ने ठुमरीम>महारतहािसलकी है,
•दादरा, िजसेठुमरीका चचेराभाई माना जाता है, कोWo करनेके िलएआदशK लयबfऔर लयबfपैटनKपेशकरता है।
•तबला और हारमोिनयमजैसेवाzयं{-के साथ, दादरा वाराणसी म>|ोहार-और सां}ृितक कायK~म-के दौरानसंगीत Cेिमय-के बीच पसंदीदाहै।
•ठुमरीऔर दादरा दोन-ही Cेम और भिoका ज?मनाते ]एशहर के सां}ृितक लोकाचारकोदशाKतेहO।

33. Music
•Varanasi has rich folk music,
•Which includes 'Bidesia', 'Lachri', 'Badhaiya', 'Fauwara', 'Gauri', 'Ghori', 'Lachchan', 'Maand', 'Sawani' and 'Kajri’.
•Internationally famous Bharat Ratna 'Shehnai' maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan
•Ram Sahai, the 'tabla' player who developed his own style known as 'Banaras Baaz’,
•Pakhawaz and Mridanga masters, such as Madan Mohan and Bhola Nath,
•Sitar maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar,
•Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan, the great Sitar player,
•A ll belong to Varanasi and are just some of the few from the long list of famous musicians who have earned name and fame in India and worldwide.

34. Music
Benaras Gharana (Tabla):
•The Varanasi style of tabla playing is renowned across India. The city has produced legendary tabla maestros, including Samta Prasad and Kishan Maharaj.
DhrupadandThumri:
•These vocal traditions have flourished in Varanasi. The annual Dhrupad festival is a continuous tradition started in the 1970s. The city is also famous for its semi-classical vocal styles, particularly thepurab ang thumri, which evolved from the musical practices of the courtesan community (tawaifs).

35. Dance
•Kathak(Benaras Gharana): Varanasi is one of the three principal centers for the classical Kathak dance tradition.
•The Benaras Gharana is known for its strong, stylized movements and devotional themes.
•After the Mughal period, when Kathak recovered its broken existence,
•The artists of Banaras Gharana are taking Kathak towards the path of devotion.
•Sukhdev Maharaj ji composed many poetic paranas to maintain the devotional aspect of Kathak.
•Some of his remarkable compositions are Kali Paran,
•Hanuman Paran, Shiv Tandav Paran, Ram Paran, etc.
•These compositions also plays a significant role in today’s presentation of Banaras gharana.
•The Banaras Gharana has elevated Kathak with its distinctive style and rich repertoire.
•Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj is also related to Varanasi,
•Other prominent artists related to the city of Varanasi include Tara, Sitara, Alaknanda, Gopi Krishna, Mohan Madhavi, Ram Krishna, Durga Lal, Mala sisters and more.

36. Conclusion
•Banaras holds a significant place in Indian culture and history, with its origins dating back thousands of years.
•It is a tapestry woven from centuries of history, tradition, spirituality, and creativity, making it a unique and cherished part of India’s cultural heritage.
•An American writer, Mark Twain, has also said "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
•This historic city has been a centre of learning, philosophy, music, arts and crafts.
•It has been a hub for scholars, poets, musicians, and artists, attracting people from all over India and beyond.
•The saying,"बनारसम'रससदैविव?मानरहताहै,"underscores the enduring presence of artistic inspiration in the city o