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Folk
Music
With paintings, handicrafts and other forms of art Rajasthani
folk music is a very popular form of art. There is a great
tradition of popular poetry, which is written under the rival
banners of Turru and Kalangi. This is sung in groups in Jikri,
Kanhaiyya or Geet (of the Meenas), Hele-ke-Khyal and Bam Rasiya
of Eastern Rajasthan. Group singing classicals called bandishes
are known as the Dangal or Taalbandi. Bhopas are the singing
priests of various deities or warrior saints. The Bhopas of
Mataji wear costumes and play the Mashak.
Dance is also a part of the Rajasthani music tradition. The
theories or Nayaks who are Pabu Bhopas, have a female accompanist;
together they recite the phad ( a painted ballad). The phad
itself is an elaborately painted work of art .
The Jogis were well-known for their recitation of the great
ballad Nihalde Sultan, Shivji-ka-byawala and songs about Gopi
Chand and Bhartrihari. Most of these musical communities live
a rural base and function as wandering minstrels traveling
from village to village. There are many other artists in different
art forms who use music as an accompaniment. The Dholies,
also known as Mirasis, Dhadhies, Manganiyarv and Langas are
known for their distinct musical styles.
State
and royal patronage elevated some of these musicians into
Kalawants in the royal courts. Their music had acquired a
sophistication that was absent from the rustic tones of the
others. The famous Maand of Rajasthan, which is a unique style
of singing and a core melody, is their creation. True to its
desert environment, the Maand speaks of love, separation,
chivalry and rivalry. Ballads are an integral part of the
professional repertoire and Dhola Maru, Moomal-Mahendra, Doongji-Jawarji,
Galaleng, Jala-Boobna, Nagji-Nagwatnti are the most popular
ones. The Mahabharat and the Ramayan are popular themes for
ballads and the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat have a delightful
folk version of the former, while Hadoti has the Ramayan of
Dhai kadi.
Folk opera is another field which has been made immensely
popular by the professionals, often in association with amateurs.
The Chairawi and Kuchamani Khyals, Maach of Chittaurgarh area,
Tamayha of Jaipur and Rammat of Bikaner are famous. The Nautanki
and Rasleela are also seen in western Uttar Pradesh. Though
some forms of the folk music are vanishing away the Rajasthani
folk music is still alive through many Hindi film songs.
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