Entry

Rajasthani Music.

Apr 2nd, 2008 04:41
kumar gaurav, http://www.rajasthantravelsguide.com/

Music are two very important aspects of the folklore of any region. In
Rajasthan, songs play a dominant role in the life of the people. The
lyrics are read in a prosaic style. They are not strictly songs and are
referred to as duha, soratha etc. Songs, which are more poetic than
musical or melodious are called folk poetry. The real folk-song is not
something to be read. The words of folk-song become meaningful when they
are saturated with the rhythm of music to which they have been
spontaneously set through continuous use by the people. This make folk
songs timeless and limitless. Folk songs, deal with domestic or family
affairs, seasons, festivals, rituals and customs. 

Gorbund is a famous folk song which describes the process of preparing a
decorative string for a camel, Rajasthan's traditional mount. The song
express the beauty in innocent labour. The composition is particularly
moving when sung to the rhythm of Kaharwa. The enjoyment of this song is
hundred percent when sung to this raga. The other folk songs are
'Indhani', 'Lawarji', 'Jallo', 'Hichaki', 'Olyun', 'Sapno', 'Kurjan'
etc. The tunes of these song are melodious and fast that even the
rendering of their first times over a stringed instrument makes the
audience ecstatic. Rajasthan has a number of communities whose
hereditary profession is to sing for the entertainment of others. Among
them are the Dholis (both Hindus and Muslims), Dhadhis, Mirasis,
Mangamars, Fedalis, Kalawats and Qawwals, Tangas, Patars and Kanchari
(Hindu and Muslim prostitutes), Nats, Rawals and Bhawais. These
communities have contributed to the preservation and popularisation of
Rajasthani folk songs.

The Ragas :
The raga's most widely used in Rajasthani folk songs are Bilawal, Kafi,
Desh, Khamaj and Peelu.  Some in their pure forms and others in
combinations. Many folk songs are tuned in Bilawal and Kafi. The folk
songs of Rajasthan have maintained the elements of Indian classical
music despite the fact that they are freely composed and sung, knowing
no rigid rules. Classicism in music have been framing and improving its
form with the help of folk-songs. The famous Mand style singing in
Rajasthan is a typical example. This style is very important in
folk-songs and it is well recognised in classical circles also. Mand is
neither accepted as a full-fledged raga nor is it reckoned among the
freely rendered folk songs. Mand goes very near the thumri or the
ghazal. Mand is the exclusive contribution of Rajasthani folklore to the
classical music of India. 

The Tal : 
In Indian music Tal unites the listener with the singer in the rhythm
and ecstasy of music. The various ragas and raginis are rendered in
accordance with the tempo of the tal differentiated by means of matras
ranging from six to sixteen. No classical music composition can be
rendered without tal. In Hindustani classical music, the Tal is provided
by the tabla, pakhawaj or mridang. Folk music also requires tal for its
effective rendering and the instruments used for it are many including
the dhol (drum), dholak, nagara, majira, chang and daf. Rajasthani
folk-songs make use of six, seven or eight matras of tal on the dholak,
tabla and nagara. The Kaharwa tal is generally played on the daf or the
chang. The musical instruments used with folk song help to keep the tal
which occupies in music, the same place as grammar does in language.

Bhajans and Banis :
Bhajans and Banis are devotional folk songs which are very popular among
the Harijans, Chamars, Bhanghis, Balais and Rahgars. Bhajans and Banis
are sung to the accompaniment of the ektara, dholak and majiras, in
night-long gatherings. Banis are often prolonged by means of an alap. It
lends seriousness to the line and helps the audience grasp its meaning.
The Bhajans composed by Mira Bai, the great devotee of Krishna are sung
with special devotion in Rajasthan.

Shehnai :
Considered to be an auspicious instrument, Shehnai belongs to the
category of Aerophonic Instruments. It is said to be of Persian origin
and is a one-reed instrument with six holes yielding soft and melodious
sound.
 
Morchang :
Morchang is the most favourite instrument for Langa community of
Rajasthan, a wrought iron instrument, much akin to the Jews harp, which
produces twanging sounds.
 
Khartal :
Khartal is considered to be a devotional instrument, which is used at
the time of religious singing.
 
Bhavageete :
This genre may be called by different names in other languages. Kannada
Bhavageete draws from the poetry of modern, including Kuvempu, D.R.
Bendre, Gopalakrishna Adiga.
 
Ghoongharoo :
Ghoongharoo is an instrument made of small round hollow metal balls with
a pebble inside. Khartal is mostly used in devotional singing.
 
Dhol :
Dhol was a popular musical instrument in both formal and informal dance
performances for decades. Dhol players were once sought-after
individuals for occasions of celebration.
 
Bankia :
Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual. Handcrafted by the musicians
themselves they are rather unique and include instruments like the
Morchang, Naad, Sarangi, Kamayacha, Rawanhattha, Algoza, Khartal,
Poongi, Bankia and Da.
 
Nagara :
The Nagara is a conical drum played with the Surnai and Nafeeri (the two
sticks). It forms part of the orchestra for the folk operas by providing
rhythm.
 
Ravanhatta :
Ravanhatta: It consists of half a coconut shell resonator covered with
membrane, bound to it with the help of cotton cords, a two feet long
bamboo stick fixed to the resonator with two main strings.


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