Varanasi

Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the western bank of the Ganges, it serves as a major cultural, religious, and musical center in North India. The city holds significance in Hindustani classical music as a hub for the Banaras gharana, a vocal tradition founded in the 19th century by musicians associated with the royal courts and temples of the region.

The Banaras gharana emphasizes intricate taan patterns, khyal gayaki, and a distinctive use of sargam (solfège) within improvisations. Prominent artists from this tradition include Bade Ramdas (18th–19th century), a court musician under the Kashi Naresh rulers, and his descendants. In the 20th century, vocalists such as Girija Devi (1929–2017) and Rajan and Sajan Mishra (born 1951 and 1953) popularized the gharana’s repertoire through recordings and performances. Girija Devi’s 1972 LP Thumri: The Queen of Banaras (HMV) and her 1990 album Classical Vocal (Magnasound) feature khyal, thumri, and chaiti compositions, showcasing the gharana’s lyrical and rhythmic intricacies. Rajan and Sajan Mishra’s 1988 cassette Bandish Ki Mala (T-Series) highlights their synchronized jugalbandi style in rags such as Yaman and Bhairav.

Varanasi’s musical heritage extends to instrumental traditions, particularly the sitar and shehnai. Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916–2006), a shehnai virtuoso, performed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and gained international recognition after his 1947 performance at India’s first Independence Day celebration. His 1968 album Shehnai: The Sound of Benaras (HMV) includes rags like Kafi and Piloo, reflecting the city’s devotional and classical fusion. The city also hosts the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, an annual classical music festival held at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple since 1923, featuring artists from multiple gharanas.

Contemporary recordings continue to document Varanasi’s influence. The 2015 album Banaras: The Eternal Abode of Shiva (Saregama) compiles archival and modern tracks by artists such as Kishori Amonkar and Shivkumar Sharma, linking the city’s spiritual and musical identity. While specific details of informal gatherings (baithaks) and oral transmissions remain undocumented, Varanasi’s role in preserving and evolving Hindustani classical music remains central to its cultural legacy.