This major contribution to the study of urban culture, first published in 1999 as the magnificant photographic book Benares Seen from Within, is now issued in a more accessible format and a reduced price, its text substantially revised.
Thought now beset with all the characteristic urban ills of the age, Benares is arguably the oldest living city in the world to retain its original cosmic orientation. A centre of learning since antiquity, its way of life has not essentially changed untill the last few years.
Among other themes, Lannoy writes about the metaphysical substructure of the city, the ancient cults of the pillar and the sun-wheel, the Buddha, yoga commerce and weaving, pilgrimage, and extends its survey up to teh present, with Hindu-Muslim conflicts. |
