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Saraswati Nandini Majumdar

Saraswati Nandini Majumdar

Author of Banaras: Walks Through India\'s Sacred City. Nandini is associated with NIRMAN, a non-profit organization based in Varanasi that works for education, the arts and international exchange (www.nirman.info).

By Saraswati Nandini Majumdar

Does Modi even know how to make Banaras a smart city?

He has done little so far and has not shown, through his other actions, that his ideas are particularly visionary or humane.

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Why Ganga artis in Banaras today are an eyesore

They focus on simulating the effect of a spectacle rather than bringing the worshipper spiritually closer to the 'holy' river.

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How Modi failed the legacy that is Banaras

Little progress has been made towards the development of the PM's constituency at a basic level, let alone as a heritage city.

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Sangeet Samaroh: Why the tradition must thrive

This alternate, living, open, generous, humane, non-elitist philosophy and practice of the arts in Banaras has a beautiful gossamer texture.

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#MissionPrabhughat: Varanasi sees the true spirit of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Temsutula Imsong and Darshika Shah's campaign was a true and refreshing reaction to PM Modi's cleanliness drive.

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How Banaras lost its handlooms to government's apathy

Handloom silk is now extremely difficult to find anywhere in Banaras; older weave patterns and motifs are also rarely found.

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Hindustani classical music: Banaras will miss sitarist Amarnath Mishra

His passing alerts us to the tenuousness of the Banaras school of music and dance, and, by extension, to other such "schools" all over India.

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UGC visit: Why Banaras Hindu University is in such a mess

Classes are collectively forgotten about and at the faculty of performing arts, the ‘Purvacharya’ annual concert is ‘postponed’.

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What Dhrupad Mela reflects of Banarasi arts community

The mela hardly serves as a dynamic meeting ground for the music community.

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Subah-e-Banaras: Too loud, too showy, too disappointing

It is unsurprising that a venture so full of promise as this demonstrated a lack of imagination.

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