Music is very much part of this wondrous land. The music of the Rajasthan is vibrant and enchanting. The unique music of Rajasthan is exciting and intoxicating. The popular and enchanting music of this desert State has won many devoted international admirers. There are songs for every occasion, every mood, and every moment. Most of the songs are based on the past royal glory of Rajasthan, which tells the tales of their Maharajas. Of the many types of communities of professional folk musicians, Bhopas (singing priests), Nats, Bhat puppeteers, Kalbelias and Kanjars, who pursue music as an ancillary vocation and operate in a rustic ambience, have made some vital contributions in this field. Apart from classical forms like khayal and dhrupad, a unique form of singing called maand also flourished in the royal courts of Rajasthan.



A perfect complement to the music could be found in the lively folk dances of Rajasthan. Bhopas and dholis, jogis and miraasis are all traditional singers, who chant short poem in the form of songs, about folk heroes of history - Baba Ramdeo, Gogaji, Tejaji, Dhola Maru and Jethwa Ujli - in voices surprisin gly strong and passionate. In most of the performances is open with the inspiring and imposing trumpet, the bankia.

Musical Instruments

The basic structure the instruments reflects a great deal on the musical ingenuity of the folks. The sound of these instruments supercharge the drummer, stimulates the singers, provides a refreshing bonus to the dancers, and generally rewards the overall effect of the musical activity.

The musical intruments used in the musics and songs ranges from the soft tinklers to thunderous kettledrums; from simple, slender flutes to intriguing trumpets; and from the rustic looking resonators for basic rhythm to elegant and fully developed bowing or plucking devices. The folk musicians of Rajasthan use ancient, unsophisticated instruments that produce strangely spellbinding sounds - twin flutes called algoza, the hypnotic Jewish harp or morchhang, the stringed instrument, ravanhatta and matka (earthen pitcher) turned in the hands with amazing dexterity. The chang is yet another drumming instrument which is made of sheepskin pasted onto a large circular or octagonal wooden frame. This is used as a rhythmic accompaniment to the erotic songs and dances performed on the colorful festival of Holi. The khanjari is a tambourine used traditionally by the Kalbeliya women (the snake charmer community).