Folk Music of Rajasthan

The mere mention of folk music brings to mind the melodious Rajasthani folk songs. Rajasthani folk music is immensely popular and is appreciated all over the world, but what makes this music so special? The answer is unique primitive-looking musical instruments and, most importantly, the contribution from music “Gharanas.”

Maand:

Mand or Maand is also a popular style of singing in Rajasthan. This is neither accepted as a full-fledged Raga nor is it reckoned among the freely rendered folk songs. It is quiet similar to the Thumri or the Ghazal.

Maand singers contribute a lot to the classical music of India with their Rajasthani folklore. It is the Rajasthan’s most sophisticated style of folk music and is most exclusive contribution to the classical music of India.

Panihari:

Panihari style of music were developed by woman of Rajasthan. As water is a scare commodity in the parched desert lands of Rajasthan and women who fetch water from afar called Panihari. The overworked women created melodious numbers that spoke of flowing rivers and the splashing waves. Most songs often had water and rains as their theme. Soon Panihari songs became famous and common.

A famous theme of the Panihari songs is the tale of a young, unwed girl who stumbles upon a stranger on her way home from the well. Taking pity upon the parched stranger she offers him some water. After the drink the immodest stranger sings praises of her beauty and follows her home on her camel. Fuming at such outrage the village complains to her mother. The lady meets the stranger and laughs at her daughter’s ignorance as the stranger turns out to be the girl’s fiance.

Pabuji Ki Phach

The Pabuji Ki Phach is a beautiful folk music of Rajasthan which is performed in the commemoration of about a 14th century folk hero who is the most honored protagonist of the Bhopa community. This Performing Art is associated to the life and the gallantry activities of Pabuji. 

Pabuji Ki Phach is one of the gems which truly represent the Rajasthan’s stupendous culture, lifestyle and tradition after the magnificent citadels, palaces and fizzy havelis whose edifices and structural designing is really awe-inspiring. Pabuji Ki Phach portrays the works and life of Pabuji who was somewhat an integral personality for the Bhopas who exaggerate his deeds through the songs and the stories ever read by them related to Pabuji from a scroll or Phad whose length is about 10 meters long. The melancholy period of the Bhopas explore the townships of Rajasthan and entertain the bystanders with their performance related to the Pabuji Ki Phach Folk Music.