Rajasthan’s melodious Sufi songs come to mind while listening to folk music. Rajasthani folk music is well-known and well-liked around the world. The state’s rare primitive musical instruments, such as the khartal and harmonium, are a source of pride and appreciation. Our country’s diverse cultural legacy has outshined many well-known folk music cultures around the world.
Manganiyars
Manganiyars or Mirasi are a Muslim folk music group in Rajasthan that use their music to beautifully sing Thar desert stories. Their distinct singing and instrument-playing styles have earned them millions of fans all over the world. They are experts at playing the Sarangi, Kamayacha, Morchang, Ektara, and a variety of other special instruments to create a calming melody. Manganiyars are well-known across the country, not only for their distinctive musical styles, but also for their traditional clothing, which includes colorful turbans.
Folk Sufi music, without a doubt, is way richer than the latest mainstream music scenarios. Here is some evidence to back up my assertion.
Strong communal roots
The hearts of the countrymen lies in the rich folk music. The folk music communities like Manganiyars create music for the culture, society, living, lifestyles, functions, events, and the emotions of the societies. They describe the royal heritage of Rajasthan in their beautiful and unique voices. The popularity of commercial music has not faded away from the charm of Indian folk music. The Managaniyar communities are extremely popular and any event or function is incomplete without inviting these folk music communities.
Varied instruments
In the face of rapid commercialization, the radical affluence of people has shifted towards western music. The commercial music has not that much base, variety, and technicalities as elaborate as Hindustani music. With the increasing knowledge and understanding of music, music lovers are understanding this difference and showing immense interest in Sufi music. The Managniyars perform with ranging musical instruments and are highly skilled in their unique styles of playing music. The different instruments such as Kamayacha, Khartal, Harmonium, Dholak, Morchang, Halariya, etc are played in sync to produce rich-class music.
The times are changing
In this era of commercial music, a question that instincts to every musical mind are about the existence of folk music. But the scenarios are changing. Folk music too has advanced itself by adding variations and updations to win new audiences. With their basic styles, performing styles, and music, they are all set to give a setback to commercial music. The Managaniyars have established the presence of folk music in the mainstream music market. Now, all music is folk music. The additions of different Sufi music styles are chosen by different music styles to win the hearts of millennials.
The folk music groups’ most recent achievement is that they have worked with many popular music genres to attract more hearts. Indian folk music has a large presence in international stage plays, performances, and public events. The popularity of Indian folk music is a matter of great pride for the folk music communities of the region and the whole country.
