Folk Beats and Desert Strings

Poetry, music, melody and musical instruments have played a vital role for centuries in enriching the lives of people. The musical sounds soothes the ears of listeners, calms the nerves and, spreads positivity to both the player and the listener. Rajasthan is a large state known for the grandeur of palaces and forts, colorful festivals, range of armor and weapons, tales of legendary warriors, and desert spread miles along the national border. But the culture of Rajasthan becomes vibrant with the unique music, folk dances and a variety of musical instruments. The folk music of the state is famous throughout the world, the musicians perform various songs which mesmerizes and captivates the mind of the audience. These instruments carry their own legacy and history throughout the Indian past.

 

Origin of the Musical instruments

Since the medieval times in India, this western side of our country, before it was named Rajasthan, was rich in folk culture. This culture of folk festivals, dances, music has evolved and changed with time. But overtime some of the elements and practioners of this musical culture faded away, however, there are two distinct communities of musicians who have survived till now. ‘Manganiar‘ and ‘Langhas‘, are the two communities which attract lot of listeners during various festivals organized in Rajasthan. Both communities are expert in vocal and instrumental performances such as ‘Sufi Qawwals’. These communities have a long history of their own, with each generation taking their legacy forward. Diwali festivals, Pushkar Camel festival and Desert festival in Jaisalmer, are the occasions when the music communities makes the festival’s atmosphere electric with brilliant musical performances.

These music artisans use various types of musical instruments, which have unique features and designs as described below.

 

Types of Musical Instruments and their motifs

Morchang

Background: Morchang was widely popular throughout Rajasthan, in South India and in present-day Pakistan in 20th century, but now we rarely find this instrument in any of these regions.

Design: This instrument is a jaw harp which is also known as ‘morsing’, it is a tiny wind percussion instrument which is played by mouth and left hand. It consists of  a metal tongue, and a metal ring on the middle, from this kind of design many patterns of sounds can be produced. The erected metal peacock motif on the metal ring gives this instrument a special appeal.

 

Nagfani

Background: This instrument was widely used around late 19th century, and was used in regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat and some regions of Uttarakhand. Its use has been in decline as its importance is fading away with time.

Design: The word, ‘Nagfani’, in Hindi, Sanskrit and most of the vernacular languages means ‘snake hood’, this instrument is made up of brass tube with a serpent like design or motif. It was usually carried by men who were experts in ‘tantric’ rituals, it is believed to have power to invoke serpents, which were coiled around the neck of Lord Shiva.

 

Kamayacha

Background: This string instrument is native to the state Rajasthan. Its history is still shrouded for now as the historical records are hard to find. But, it still survives today all because of Manganiyar community, who are proficient in using this instrument.

Design: The wood of this instrument is carved from a single piece of seasoned mango grove wood or ‘rohida’ wood, and it consists of 17 strings in total. The round big spherical belly of this instrument is covered with goat skin and it produces warm kind of tone. While the concave stick bow of Kamayacha is made from local Khejari wood, the string is made from horse tail. Kamayacha has acted as the heart and soul of Rajasthani folk music for a long time, Sakar Khan was one of the renowned musician belonging to Manganiyar community who represented this art of music till 2013. It was used for entertainment in royal courts in front of the kings and sometimes in front of the whole royal family.

 

Alghoza

Background: Another unique instrument which has a long history and has been used in many regions across Asia. According to Professor Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi, this instrument might have originated from Mesopotamia or Egypt, roughly 9,500 years ago. Today, many other scholars argue that Alghoza might have traced its roots from Iran or from Punjab. Alghoza reached parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where it has been used in many folk art music.

Design: Alghoza is a duct-type flute, that consists of two flute-shaped recorders, known as ‘sopranos’ and ‘altos’. Sopranos  makes high end notes, while altos creates low notes or thin notes.  One of these two pipes has eight holes, and the other has twelve holes. Musicians like Khamisu Khan had two extra pipes in this instrument, which he would play by his circular breathing through nose and by using mouth, the instrument would create constant streams of sound. Alghoza sometimes has linen clothing attached to it for decoration purpose, the linen would consist of various motifs.

Use of Folk instruments in Indian culture (Pop culture)

These instruments have been used in various cultural and folk festivals of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. But Rajasthan has always been mostly associated with these instruments when it comes to Indian cinema. Historical films like ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ and ‘Padmavaat‘ have showcased these instruments in their folk songs, even in drama films like, ‘P.K.’ has scenes of these instruments being played by the music community, like ‘Tharki Chokro’ song. Through these depictions of this culture, the tourism in Rajasthan gets a boost, the tourists from all over India and from foreign countries come over to Rajasthan during festive seasons to experience this folk music.

 

Present scenario of these instruments

Folk culture of Rajasthan lives and flows like a river, preserving the legacy of folk songs and folk music. But with today’s globalization and new modern world, the practice of this folk art is on decline. Not many master musicians are present to continue this artform, and it is hard to find successors to carry this legacy forward in today’s world where local culture from rural areas are dying because of upcoming urban centers. However, there are few initiatives being taken to preserve these unique artforms from perishing altogether. Rajasthan studio is one of them. This organization for a while has been trying its best to document and showcase these cultures in its raw form to the general audience, through its ‘Aathun’ program, which literally means the west direction. These private initiatives along with patronage and promotion from government will definitely ensure that these local cultures do not get forgotten in these changing times.

 

Conclusion

Unlike the monuments of Rajasthan, the folk culture of this state is more exposed to and affected by the winds of globalization. But these new changes have brought some desired recognition and boost to the folk culture. Through internet, magazines and other mass media connections, this artform and culture has been getting recognized by other people. Indian people from other states have been able to appreciate the importance of their culture by looking up-to Rajasthan as an example. The history and culture of this state has endured all the hardships of this world, and the folk music will also endure and thrive till the times to come.

 

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