A pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Jains, and near the purported site of the Buddha's first sermon, Varanasi is considered holy ground and a pilgrimage site for many people of faith. The city is a renowned center of cultural and academic life as well.
Varanasi is also the site of vibrant commerce, especially silk production-- the beauty of the city's silk goods, exported worldwide, is breathtaking. In this recording we wind through the alleys of the old city on our way to the banks of the Ganges River, through a variety of acoustic environments as we move in and out of the silk workshops and hear the clacking percussion of machinery used in the production process.
Almost without exception, the machines heard on this recording are operated by children. Though technically illegal in India, child labor continues unchecked in many places. For those who wish to join with Indians fighting against child labor, a group called CRY</a> is a good one to get involved with. More info: cry.org
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