Rajasthan is the land of the rajputs of the old time. It is the soil of brave people with a royal touch in their lifestyle. It is a land of superlatives where everything is breathtakingly beautiful. Rajasthan is indeed the land of royalty! saregama captures this wonderful land in its edition of discover of india.
It is a fascinating sight to see the folk musicians of rajasthan with their musical instruments, who besides dressing themselves in colourful attire, also decorate and embellish their instruments with beautiful trappings and ornamental coverings. They are people with music in their souls. Their amazingly rich music has an extraordinary individuality, tradition and exotic flavour, which give a distinctive feature and quality to their musical sounds, and certain pulse, which does not fail to fascinate the listener, staying like lingering perfume. They have songs for every occasion with rich emotional content, almost an endless variety of tunes, quite a few delightful dance forms, and a large number of musical instruments all a collective creation of the folks which is retained by them in it traditional form and character and passed from one generation to the other. The heady, hypnotic combination of rhythm and melodies sung and played by the langas, are part of the eternal appeal of this mysterious & wondrous land.
Langa literally means `song giver`. An accomplished group of poets, singers and musicians from the barmer district of rajasthan, the langas seem to have converted form hinduism to islam in the 17th century. Traditionally, sufi influences prevented them from using percussion instruments, however, the langas are versatile players of the sindhi sarangi and the algoza [double flute], which accompany and echo their formidable and magical voices. They perform at events like births, and weddings, exclusively for their patrons [yajman], who are cattle breeders, farmers and landowners. The langa musicians are regarded by their patrons as `kings`.
Born in the golden sands of rajasthan, the langas have picked up only one trade in life that of carrying the desert in their heart. Loaded with rustic folk melodies that have trickled down to them from seven generations, the langas have been singing of the desert charm all their lives. And the plan to sing folk for all ages to come, because they believe that folk is the mother of all classical musical traditions. The langas, who consider themselvels descendants of the rajputs, are known as creators of the finest music of the desert. Their songs are passed from generations to generations, which make them effectively the keepers of the history of the desert. Langas are forever looking for the beauty of a tune. Playing and singing together, they echo each other to accentuate their common tune to a vertiginous transcending sound which is one of their magic practices through the music. They seem to have converted from hinduism to islam in the 17th century. Sufi influences prevented them from using percussion instruments.
Langas, are musical cousins to mangariyas. Their art is identical except that langas are accompanied by a saranghi instead of the kamayacha. Both are string instruments, but the saranghi has more strings and so, is richer is range demanding greater training and virtuosity from the vocalist the langas` and mangariyas` music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations. Both sing in the same dialect, but their styles and repertoires differ, shaped by the tastes of their patrons. The monarchs of the courts of rajput and jaipur maintained large music and dance troupes an in an environment where the arts were allowed to flourish.
Though both communities are made up of muslim musicians, many of their songs are in praise of hindu deities and celebrate hindu festivals such as diwali and holi. The manganiar performers traditionally invoke the hindu god krishna and seek his blessings before beginning their recital. At one time, the manganiars were musicians of the rajput courts, accompanying their chiefs to war and providing them with entertainment before and after the battles and in the event of his death, would perform at the ruler`s vigil day and night until the mourning was over.
