Music for the soul

From rock to classical to folk, where the roots are, is a delectable exploratory journey. Rajasthani folk celebrity Gazi Khan, who enjoys international recognition with his colourful band of musicians, on Tuesday at Natarani gave an unforgettable flavour of the Times Ahmedabad Festival with songs of the soil and music integral to the silence of the earth.The audience, overflowing at the amphitheatre, was literally in raptures all through.
Gazi Khan took off to a roar of appreciation from the listeners, with the signature song of the proverbial Rajasthani hospitality Kesariya balama padharo mare gher'. Soon two damsels entered dancing to the rhythm on dhol', adding visual beauty to the welcome. The feel of the land was complete to those who felt a camel ride in the rhythm on the rugged land earlier and now a little steady in its sway on level ground in Gazi Khan's Samvara' describing the beauty of a camel.
Before the listeners could withdraw from the strong rhythm and the bunlandi gaan' of the Khan in his purani bandish' on Manganiars, entered the kamangaari ghoomar' dancer (Suwa Devi), attired in bewitching ghaghra-choli' and wearing innumerable white kadas' on arms and a delicate nathani' on her nose. With this, and later sampera nritya' to a been', glides on heels and skilful acts, including picking up rings from the floor with eyelids, she left everyone absolutely spellbound.
The arid land with the mercury moving to extremes at either end is warm with the softness of hearts throbbing on it. The round unripe little fruits kachcha-kachcha chhota-chhota limbooda' that came a little later seemed to have the magic love potion. It charmed listeners no end. Swaying, clapping and nearly joining the singer in chorus when Mast Qalandar' came, they were all on cloud nine.
Our urban existence is gilt-coated. Like slough when that coating is removed in magical moments, the bare artless existence grows light as air and bonds with nature, whose fragrance folk singing and dancing carry. How effortlessly art is part of their life. "The art is paramparik' with us," Suwa was saying backstage. "You've learnt it at a young age," I say and with a smile. She responds, "I'm a mother of four children." The next moment she is on stage dancing to yet another delightful song Holiyamen ude re gulal'.