Folk traditions and classical forms found royal patronage in Rajasthan. A major school of the sophisticated classical Kathak dance form originated in Jaipur, as did Dhrupad singing. The rulers of Jaisalmer extended patronage to the Manganiyar community.
Musical Instruments
The haunting melody of Rajasthan evokes from a variety of delightfully primitive looking instruments. The stringed variety include the Sarangi, Rawanhattha, Kamayacha, Morchang and Ektara.
Percussion instruments come in all shapes and sizes from the huge Nagaras and Dhols to the tiny Damrus. The Daf and Chang are a big favourite of the Holi (the festival of colours) revellers.
A man playing Nagara
Click to enlarge
Flutes and bagpipers come in local flavours such as Shehnai, Poongi, Algoza, Tarpi, Been and Bankia.
Folk Dances
Rajasthani dances have a life of their own, a vigorous rhythm that is hard to describe.
Whether it is the community dances such as the men-only Gair, or the women-only Ghoomar, or the Gair Ghoomar in which both men and women participate.
