100 Homes

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Home 57
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi location map

K had 5 brothers and 5 sisters and the family owned a 350 year-old ancestral home in the interiors of Varanasi which now acts as their office. A column of steps led up to an old wooden door and we were ushered past a small covered courtyard into a carpeted room where a sofa had been pushed into a corner. An ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling and cast sparkling light, and in a corner on a small table was an antique lamp. The walls were lined with blue and white tiles and the floor was overlaid with marble.

K sat like an amiable patriarchal figure among his family members. A few mobile phones lay next to him and rang at continuous intervals. K was from a long line of accomplished musicians, and while his family members did not themselves make music for a living, they were deeply involved in managing and supervising their band and business. Their ancestors had learned how to play the shehnai (a wind instrument) from a very famous Indian musician, and over the years, they moved to Varanasi. In addition to music, his brother, S, had also diversified the family business to include building-work and construction.