Manganiyar music has no religion or boundaries

We, the Manganiyaars, tour the country sides, singing lore of adventures and valour of Rajput kings. We are inheritors of Rajasthan's rich musical tradition and we try to keep alive this parampara, which had been passed on to us by our forefathers, who used to serve erstwhile Rajput rulers,” says the 36-year old Gope Khan from Taloka village of Barmer district.Gope has accompanied a five-member troupe which recently performed at the World Heritage Day celebrations in the city.
Gope, who shoulders khartal duties in the troupe, says Manganiyaar are traditional storytellers who roam the desert singing praises of immortal love sagas of Rajasthani princes and princesses.
“Though we practise Islam, we visit Hindu temples and perform there with the same devotion as on the dargahs of our beloved Sufi saints,” says Gope adding that music has no religion or boundaries.
“Manganiyaar's music echoes the wild passions of the desert and intensity of the unrequited love of our princes and princesses, which makes it a class apart from other musical traditions of the country,” said lead singer of troupe Bottey Khan.
Bottey adds, “Rajasthani folk music is now getting the much-deserved exposure and it has brought new vistas of opportunity for the young Manganiyar singers.
“Recently, two child artistes, Sartaj Khan (11) and Sarwar Khan (12) became stars overnight, after they lent their voices to Bapu sehat ke liye tu toh hanikarak hai from Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal. Also another upcoming artiste Swaroop Khan also made it into Bollywood with Tharki Chokro from PK,” says Bottey.
Manganiyaar music has always fascinated music lovers with its unique style and rhythms, and it is no surprise that Bollywood too has acknowledged its grandeur, says Latif Khan, another singer of the troupe.
“Earlier, Bollywood music directors used to take liberties with our music and tunes by incorporating them into movies. Some of the chartbusters in Bollywood such as Nimbooda, Nimbooda from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam are copies of traditional tunes sung by Rajasthani folk artistes. Now, though late, but we are happy that our songs are getting their due recognition. We hope this will motivate our present generation to devote themselves to folk music with the same passion like our forefathers, who had strived hard to pass them onto us,” says Gope Khan.