Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In Banaras
Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In Banaras
Some stories stay with you long after the last page. Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In Banaras by Radhika Iyengar is one of them – a hardcover that rewards an unhurried read. Runs to about 352 pages, so it's a book you'll want to pass on to a friend when you're done.
What it's about
Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. A place where life and death co-exist in the most unimaginable way.
The Doms are a Dalit sub-caste in Banaras designated by tradition to perform the Hindu rite of cremation. They have ownership of the sacred fire without which, it is believed, the Hindu soul will not achieve liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. Despite this, the community is condemned to the lowest order in the caste hierarchy, and its members continue to be treated as 'untouchables'.
Fire on the Ganges is the first attempt to chronicle the everyday realities of the Doms. It plunges into Banaras's historical past while narrowing its lens to a few spirited characters from the Dom community. Through their tales of struggle and survival, loss and ambition, betrayal and love, it tells the at-times-heartbreaking, at-times-exhilarating story of a community struggling to find a place beyond that accorded to it by ancient tradition.
Book details
- Author: Radhika Iyengar
- Format: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Pages: 352
- Publisher: Books
- Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.6 cm
- Category: Non-Fiction
Frequently asked questions
Is Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In available in paperback or hardcover?
This listing is for the hardcover edition of Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In.
What language is this edition in?
This edition is in English.
Who wrote Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In?
Fire on the Ganges Life Among the Dead In is written by Radhika Iyengar.
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