India, Benares, Varanasi, back in 1937, Ganges bathing.

A view of Benares before the war. The city has changed undoubtedly - no more camels? But the bathing and rituals should be the same.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• india
• benares
• varanasi
• beñares
• kashi
• uttar pradesh' michael rogge
• camels
• barber
• shaving
• worship
• hinduism
• temple

[shreedharmadas]

Thank you for uploading very precious film about old Varanasi. I want to know how did you identify this film was taken in 1937 ?

[MichaelRogge]

@shreedharmadas. It is an educated guess.

[taubangkok]

I was there in 2001. Not much has changed on Dasaswamed ghat. I miss living in India. Just the music makes me homesick.

[MichaelRogge]

@taubangkok Were there that many camels as well in 2001? 

[taubangkok]

@MichaelRogge I don't remember camels on the ghats, but many, many buffalos, no cars as the alleys are to narrow in that area. I love your back ground sound with car horns (1937), I guess you could fine "Indian street sounds without car horns." I do find Varanasi a place that only visitors who are experienced can survive and enjoy. I spent 24 hours there alone the first time in 1998 and one week in 2001 with a friend. Couldn't do it alone.

[MichaelRogge]

@taubangkok It was a silent film. I couldn't find a recording of an indian street without car horns and hoped that this one would go unnoticed!

[abhinavRoyal21]

Its awesome :) Now I come to realise that why Varanasi (Benaras) is said to be the oldest living city on Earth . Nothing has changed since years the culture , the buildings , the daily rituals and off cours the daily life style Benarasi :)

Love You Benaras :)

[taubangkok]

@MichaelRogge Haha. Yes, I am aware of your talent to find the right sounds to your silent movie videos. I love your creativity and it inspired me to be more creative with audio. You could try for the sound of an Indian market place. Lots of people but no cars. Cheers... Pantau

[MichaelRogge]

@draganovAP No, these are not my films. I bought this film and had it digitalised as viewers love pictures of the past.

[draganovAP]

Mike, Did you really travel to all these places? I have not been to Varanasi but am sure the Ganges is much dirtier now than then.

it is funny how India has not progressed much, I am from Tiruchirappalli though i dont live there anymore. You posted a video of that place from 1940 there is not much that has changed except for it getting crowded and polluted. However the scenes from the villages are yet the same.