There is great fun in making things and storytelling. Raunaq Sahni, a student of cinema and trained screenwriter, is known for his travel series “100 Days of Dreaming.” His extreme travel adventures across India and realistic filmmaking garnered 340 million views in 90 days, making it the fastest-growing YouTube channel in the world for two days.
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Melodies of India: Journey with the Ganga
About the Book
Raunaq has always felt a deep, inexplicable bond with the Ganga ever since he first laid eyes on the river many years ago. Every year on his birthday, he would sit by the river, savoring her gentle presence. Yet, these brief moments were never enough for him—he yearned to spend more time by her side.
Finally, after years of hesitation, Raunaq found the courage to embark on an epic journey along the Ganga, from her sacred source at Gaumukh to the revered Sangam point in Gangasagar.
This 270-page book is an engaging blend of photos and narrative. It chronicles the author’s quest, starting from his home, as he pursues a long-held dream of traveling alongside the Ganga. Beginning at Gaumukh, he encounters people whose deep faith transforms the river into more than just flowing water; it becomes their mother and home. However, this reverence diminishes as he moves into the busy city of Kanpur, where the Ganga is treated as just another polluted river.
Faith reappears in Prayagraj, Banaras, and Gangasagar, but there, a strange mob mentality takes hold. People simultaneously worship and pollute, allowing their needs to overshadow their reverence. In their rush to pray, they jostle, push, and disregard those around them, showing little care for other devotees worshiping the same river.
As Raunaq continues through small villages, he finds that humanity flourishes where the crowds do not overwhelm. Walking on foot, he meets thugs, mafia, monks, and common villagers—who all appear the same to him. They invite him for meals, offer money for his travels, and show kindness. Everyone is a child of the river, eager to help, revealing that every person is inherently good.
About the Author
With over a decade of experience in film documentaries and YouTube videos, Raunaq’s passion for photography and filmmaking is unwavering. For him, visual storytelling is not just a skill but an essential part of who he is.
Two years ago, Raunaq embarked on a transformative 100-day journey across India, a personal adventure he called #100DaysofDreaming. This journey provoked deep reflections on identity, both personal and national.
Sitting on the banks of the sacred Ganges one peaceful morning, he felt a subtle yet powerful message from the river—to embark on a journey tracing the Ganga from her source to her delta, seeking the essence of self and country.
This inspiration led to the creation of “Melodies of India.” Raunaq undertook a four-month journey, capturing the nation’s essence through evocative photographs. This intimate exploration is now shared in his book, combining visuals and stories with sincere honesty. The book contains 11 chapters, each capturing the melodies of the land and its people along the Ganga.
