The Manganiar community will be bringing the folk music
from the Rajasthan desert to Goa this Sunday. The songs will be performed to the beats of the kamyacha, an over
700-year-old music instrument
KALYANI JHA | NT BUZZ
The Manganiar community have been living in western Rajasthan, in and around Jaisalmer and Badmer for many years before the Partition. They have music in their genes that they have passed down from generation
to generation.
“By religion, we belong to the Muslim community but we believe in Hindu deities and gods and sing songs devoted to Rani Bhatiyani, Sati Mata, Krishna, etc.,” says singer Latif Khan.
The community have been singing and playing music for the Hindu Rajputs of Rajasthan for many generations. “When they have a wedding or anything auspicious, they begin the occasion only after our performance,” says Latif, adding that the community also sing in temples and festivals all year round.
The Manganiar have songs for all occasions and on many themes including nature, love songs, wedding, and songs of gods and deities. These songs have been carried forward only through
oral tradition.
“No songs are written anywhere. There is not a formal ‘riyaz’ either. The songs are sung at anytime, anywhere, and whenever we feel like. And kids from the family learn by listening,” shares Latif.
The main instrument of the Manganiar folk tradition of music is the kamyacha which is around 700 to 800 years old “In earlier times, there was no dhol, dholak, or harmonium. We used to play only on the kamyacha,” says Latif, adding that many other instruments that they now perform with have been added
over the years.
The family coming to perform at the ongoing Monte Music Festival is the fourth generation of Padma Shri Saker Khan (Latif Khan’s grandfather). In fact, Saker Khan was the first in the Manganiar community to get the Padma Shri in 2012. The Manganiar have also performed and collaborated with many top music artistes like Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasiya, and George
Harrison.
Latif adds that their Sunday performance at the Monte Music Festival in Old Goa titled ‘Echoes from the Desert’ will include the traditional songs along with Sufi songs and a ‘jugalbandi’ of vocals and all the instruments. The group members include six singers -, Dare Khan (Ustad Bismilla Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee), Latif Khan, Sawai Khan, Achar Khan, Zakir Khan, and Dare Khan. The performance will also include Pooja Sapera, a dancer from the snake charmers’ community.
(‘Echoes from the Desert’ will be held on February 2, 5.45 p.m. at the courtyard of The Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, Old Goa. The performance is part of the 23rd Monte Music Festival)
