SPIC MACAY and ICCR are organising a Rajasthani Folk music and dance Bhutte Khan Manganiar Group ( Barmer) on Friday, October, 26.
The vast unending expanse of burning hot sand that makes up the Thar desert of Rajasthan hosts one of the most vibrant and evocative music cultures of the world. The heady, hypnotic combination of rhythm and melodies are sung and played by the Manganiars, groups of hereditary professional musicians, whose music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations.
Both sing in the same dialect, but their styles and repertoires differ, shaped by the tastes of their patrons. Even though the community is consists Muslim musicians, many of their songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. The troupe consists of Vocal singers, Khartaal player, Kamaicha player, and Dholak player. The Manganiar community have been patronized by the kings of Western Rajasthan and even today they play and sing for the Hindu Jagirdars. The Kamaicha is also a stringed instrument like a bowed Rabab, used exclusively by them and is passed on to the musicians of the successive generation. The Khartaal, a kind of castanets is made of Teak wood. Kalbeliya dancers perform to celebrate any joyful moment in the community. They represent the creative adaptation of this community of snake charmers and the dancers are women in flowing black skirts who dance and swirl, replicating the movements of a serpent.
The musical is being held at Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology (KMIT), Narayanguda, from 6:30 pm onwards. For further details, contact 99852 77779 / 9989245645.