Rajasthan Folk Music

Whenever we hear term Rajasthani music, some melodious tunes of Rajasthani folk music come into our mind. Rajasthani folk music is not only appreciated in India, but it is widely followed in all over the world. People admires Rajasthani music due to its purity. Rajasthan’s music not only known for its sweet songs but it is also known for its primitive-looking musical instruments.

These musical instruments are of different types some have wires and some are played by blowing air through them, and some of them are made of only two flat wooden pieces. The artists who perform these arts are from different communities.

Music for every aspect of life

Music live in the blood of people of Rajasthan. Rajasthani songs play a dominant role in people’s life. There are songs for every situation of life, like marriage, devotional music. Music can be related to anything in Rajasthan. Whether it is Gorband (a famous song on Camel), or Banna (song on bridegroom) or Hichki (song sung when we remember someone) and noted song Kesaria Balam (for welcoming guests). These songs touch everything. These are only a few songs there are tonnes of other songs too.   

Community of artists

Rajasthan has many communities which are famous for their music. They are known for their different style of music they present. Rajasthan’s music is immensely popular due to different ‘Gharanas’ are part of this music. There are many musical castes which serve the Rajasthani music like Langa, Manginiyars, Sapera, Dholi, Bhopa, Jogi, etc. These are main two Gharanas of Rajasthani Music.

• Langa Community
• Manginiyar Community

Langa Community

Mostly Langa community people lives in Barmer district of Rajasthan, There is a village called ‘Baranwa’ where these singers live. Langa community musicians are Muslims. They follow the mostly Muslim style of singing. Langa community is famous in all over the world, artists from this community travel all over the world to perform. Langa community anciently belonged to Sindh province of Pakistan, and they migrated to a western part of Rajasthan. Bundu Khan Langa is one of the famous artists from this community.

Manginiyar Community

Manginiyars are also Muslim community coming from Pakistan Sindh province. They mostly live in Jaisalmer and Barmer of Rajasthan. The majority of this population resides in Pakistan’s Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Sujawal, Hyderabad. Mame Khan is a famous Manginiyar singer.

Komal Kothari of Rajasthan of uplifted these tribes. He provided them institutionalised support and allowed them to perform outside of Rajasthan state. Now, these communities from Rajasthan travel all over the world and perform at a global level.

Primitive Musical Instruments

One of the reason because of Rajasthani music is famous is its ancient musical instruments. These instruments mesmerise everybody. They are of different types some have strings, and some are flute or bagpipers type.

Sarangi, Morchang, Kamayacha and Ektara are the string musical instrument.

Morchang

Kamicha

Sarangi

Ektara

Manginiyar and Langas have expertise on percussion instruments like khadtal and Dholak.

Khadtal

Dance Forms of Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s Ghumar dance, Kalbeliya, Firedance, etc. are the heritage of Rajasthan. They are quite popular in Rajasthan. Kalbelia dance is done by Kalbelia community. Kalbelia community is known for catching snakes, so the dance form and appearance resemble snakes. They are also called Jogi or Sapera.

Kalbelia Dance

Ghoomar dance

The musical heritage or Rajasthan is very gorgeous and needs no introduction. Rajasthan’s place in Indian culture is vital. All Rajasthani music should be encouraged. Artists should be acknowledged. So It's our duty to preserve our heritage and be proud of it. Hope you liked this blog please leave a comment.