yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

As Varanasi's ghats come alive with music, the city could stake its claim to being India's cultural capital This piece was published on FirstPost on 27 th June, 2018. Thanks are due to the team at FirstPost. Bathing to purify oneself of sins, the final rituals of the dead, boating, evening  aartis ,  sadhus , and hippies are among the things that come to mind when one thinks about the  ghats  at Varanasi. Seldom, however, does music find a place. This, when the town could well boast of yet another tag — that of being the musical capital of the country. Raj Ghat is at one end of the eight-kilometre stretch of  ghats  along the Ganga, and Assi Ghat stands at the other end. Each of these  ghats  is on the side of the Ganga that touches the town. These famed  ghats  play host to a majority of events, some which are relatively new, such as the Kabir Festival which had its second edition during November last...

Kabir on the Ghats The Setting Dharbhanga Ghat What a setting it was.   Early days of a winter eager to come to Banaras. Late rays of the Sun reaching down to touch the Ganga. People bowing to both – the river and the Sun like they have all been doing for eons. Some tourists passed by on boats while a few stopped their boats and walked up the dozen odd steps – the stage for the session. Some just walked by while few Sadhus remained unaffected. The world continued to do what it did. About 80 odd people sat amidst flowing curtains and resting pillows – both in lively colours. Flowers added to the colours! Chota Nagpur Bageecha For the evening session Roy (of the JLF fame) entered at the same time as us and greeted me in English and mumi in Hindi. He did this with an ease and elan I have come to associate with him in what little glimpses I have had of him. The audience size was friendly and demeanour pleasant. 2 stalls – one of chaat and the other of cl...