Kashiites demand a film city in Varanasi
Several prominent people of the city including lawyers, classical musicians have raised the demand for setting up a film city in Varanasi. The state government has announced a film city in Greater Noida but people in Varanasi feel that their city with its cultural heritage was ideally suited for the project.
Advocate Nityanand Rai, former general secretary of Banaras Bar Association who has written to chief minister Yogi Adityanath on the issue said Varanasi has several unique locations that are ideally suited for film shooting. Classical artists, including sarod maestro Pt Vikas Maharaj and sitar maestro Pt Deobrat Mishra too have backed the demand.
“Varanasi is the most suitable city for setting up a film city. Around a month ago, I wrote a letter to the chief minister urging him to develop a film city in the ancient city since it has several locations that are ideal for film making,” Rai said.
“In case a film city is not possible
THE STATE GOVT SHOULD SET UP THE FILM IN CITY OR ITS SATELLITE CENTRE IN THE CITY. IT WILL HELP PRESERVE THE CLASSICAL ARTS
A picturesque view of a Kashi ghat
due to some reason, the government should at least consider setting up a satellite centre of the film city, one that is equipped with all the facilities,” he said.
Rai cited places Devdari-Rajdari in Chandauli, Windham fall and several other locations in Sonbhadra that borders Varanasi and many locations in Mirzapur and other adjoining districts of Varanasi to make his point. “Varanasi has iconic ghats, the majestic river Ganga, serpentine lanes and great cultural heritage. It has got an international airport too and thus great connectivity and accommodation facilities,” he said.
Rai has also tweeted on the issue, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi.
Sarod maestro Pt Vikas Maharaj described Varanasi as the cultural capital of the country. “Varanasi is cultural capital of India and known for preserving and promoting classical music and art. Many foreigners come here to learn music from renowned classical singers and artists of Banaras Gharana. The state government should set up the film in city or its satellite centre in the city. It will help preserve the classical arts and music,” he said.
“The filmmakers will get many natural locations unlike elsewhere where they would have to create those locations,” Maharaj said.
Sitar Artist Deobrat Mishra said: “Banaras has a complete mohalla of classical musicians. Tabla maestro Pt Kishan Maharaj, and Pt Gudai Maharaj and many other music doyens were born and brought up here. They spread essence of classical music all over the world,” he said.