संवाद # 184: Why Varanasi is special & how Hindus are failing it | Rana PB Singh

Vaad

Prof. Rana P.B. Singh, born on December 15, 1950, is an eminent scholar in the fields of cultural landscapes, heritage studies, and pilgrimage research. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.) and has received numerous accolades including the Fellowships in Japan, Italy, and Korea, and prestigious awards like 'Ganga Ratna' and ‘Koshal Ratna’ in India. Prof. Singh served as the Head of the Department of Geography at B.H.U. from 2013 to 2015, and as President of the Asian Cultural Landscape Association from 2018 to 2023. He is currently the President for Asia of the "Reconnecting With Your Culture" initiative, affiliated with UNESCO, and has held this role from 2021 to 2024. His contributions extend to significant roles in international committees such as ICOMOS-IFLA and ICOMOS-India, where he coordinates the National Science Committee on Cultural Landscapes. Since April 2022, he has been a Visiting Professor at the Centre of South Asian Studies, Gifu Women’s University, Japan. Over four decades, Prof. Singh has conducted extensive research in India, Japan, Sweden, Italy, South Korea, and China, delivering 79 special lectures across 25 countries. He has authored 43 books and 342 papers, with notable works including "Banaras, Making of India’s Heritage City" (2009) and "Hindu Tradition of Pilgrimage: Sacred Space and System" (2013). Currently, he is co-editing three forthcoming anthologies for Springer Nature. Prof. Singh also plays a pivotal role in the International Scientific Committee of EdA Esempi di Architettura, where he has co-edited thematic volumes focusing on historic cities, cultural heritage, and architectural symbolism. His distinguished career and extensive body of work highlight his dedication to the preservation and study of cultural landscapes and heritage globally.