Varanasi's Dalmandi: Bismillah Khan's Shehnai Echoes as Demolition Looms

• Varanasi's historic Dalmandi faces renewed demolition action, with administration making continuous announcements.
• Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan had a deep connection to Dalmandi, playing shehnai there annually on the eighth day of Muharram until 1996.
• Khan sahib, a symbol of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, practiced daily at Balaji Ghat and played shehnai at Kashi Vishwanath temple.
• Dalmandi was once a vibrant hub for dance and music, home to renowned courtesans like Jaddanbai, Rasoolanbai, and Chhappan Chhuri.
• These courtesans also played a significant role in India's freedom struggle, adding to Dalmandi's rich historical tapestry.

Why It Matters: Dalmandi's rich cultural past, linked to Ustad Bismillah Khan, faces an uncertain future with demolition.