World Music Day – Meet the Singers and Artists from Jaipur

“Music is a mortal law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything”

Plato

This World Music Day, get acquainted with the singers and artists from Rajasthan who still live for the word “Rajasthani Music”.

Music is an art which not only links two hearts but it also connects two like hearted people. There are various genres of music that belong to a set of conventions or shared tradition. Rajasthan too has a diverse collection of musician castes and genres, including langas, sapera, bhopa, jogi and Manganiar.

The traditional music of Rajasthan is on the verge of extinction, thanks to the rapid growth and globalisation where people prefer jazz, hip hop and other such genres. But there are people who are struggling to keep this art alive.

The Rajasthan’s singer who has still kept hold of Rajasthan’s Abuse Ritual in this world of modern jazz, Rama Narayan Sharma said “It is named abuse but when the opponent group calls out the abuse words so lovingly , the person starts smiling instead of getting angry. This art is of conversing in Jaipuri words at various betel shops and tea kiosks.”

“The ritual was carried out in fourteen arenas of Jaipur but today the art can be seen in four to five arenas only. I started pouring my art in this ritual when I was five years old and today, when I am almost eighty years old I am still connected to the tradition. The art is entertaining and it brings smiles on pretty faces. The rise in the Television industry has lowered the culture of this ritual, but I am pretty sure that a few families will keep this art alive in this world”, the singer from Jaipur added.

The famous Maand singer Rehana Mirza told that she was introduced with the concept of maand in her childhood by her maternal aunt and mother. The artist has even performed with her mother and maternal aunt at various stage shows. After learning the basics of Maand Music, Mirza started using ghazals, Bhajan and Lok – Geets in her music and induced the sweetness of Rajasthani Music in the country. The art of maand music is on the verge of extinction. To keep the Rajasthani Music alive,the government and societal organisations should open schools where people could learn the art of maand music.

“Bamboo crafted instrument, algoza has been the centre of attraction for its creative manufacturing and the mellifluous music it plays since erstwhile period” said Algoza Player, Badrinath Chaudhary. Foundations like Jaipur Virasat Foundation have promoted various events with the help of this instrument. The flute like instrument can be seen played at temples and fairs of Jaipur, Tonk and other few districts of Rajasthan. Due to the downfall of craftsman of Algoza, the tradition of playing algoza is also vanishing.

These anonymous artists and singers from Rajasthan are still in love with the tradition…