 Varanasi ’ s music tradition is traced to the <unk> days . According to ancient legend , Shiva is credited with evolving music and dance forms . During the medieval era , Vaishnava , a <unk> movement , grew in popularity , and Varanasi became a thriving centre for musicians such as <unk> , Kabir , <unk> , <unk> and Tulsidas . During the <unk> rule of <unk> Chandra in the 16th century , the Dhrupad style of singing received royal patronage and led to other related forms of music such as <unk> , <unk> , and <unk> . <unk> the Dhrupad <unk> Pandit <unk> <unk> from Varanasi is working for the revival of this art @-@ music . 
