Echoes from the Deserts | Nandini Mahesh | Documentary on Manganiyars | Banyan Tree Events

Echoes from deserts (1990) A documentary on Manganiyars - The folk musicians of Rajasthan It was in the year 1986 that I first heard about the Manganiyars from Padmabhushan Shri Komal Kothari, who was like a walkie-talkie encyclopedia on the Folk culture of Rajasthan. I was really fascinated and decided to take this community as the subject of my Ph.D. research. This documentary is the culmination of that journey. Manganiyars are based in two disctricts of western Rajasthan i.e. Jaisalmer and Barmer. They are hereditary musicians for the Rajputs. Which means the Jajmani relationship between two is passed down from generation to generation on both sides. The songs that they sing reflect various aspects of life. There are songs for all occasions; for festivals, for weddings, for child birth, for nature, for rituals ... and most interestingly, traditionally these songs were creations of women folk of the community. This documentary was made in the year 1990-91. Of course, back then the technology was very different. And when I say that, I don't mean of filming alone. There were no phones, leave alone mobile phones. In fact, there was no electricity in the villages. It was thanks to all the guidance of Komal'da and full support of Gulab Kothari ji and his Rajasthan Patrika team, that I could complete the documentary. Things have changed a lot since then. So many faces in the film, including Komal Kothari ji have passed away... on to the next dimension. The little boys of 5 years then, are well known performers today. Unfortunately, with more and more exposure, and easy access to technology, there is even faster erosion of the repertoire and music. Of course, some of the Manganiyars are doing a great job of collaborating with musicians from other parts of the country and beyond, without losing the essence of their own music. In our own humble way, through Banyan Tree and Ninaad Music, we have featured many Manganiyars across the country and beyond for various national and International festivals. But, just as I felt when this documentary was made 30 years ago, even today I feel, something precious is slipping away through our fingers ... However, there is still some hope. The little girl (Pavni) with whose song the documentary ends, represents hope. For this music, for future. Today with the unprecedented difficulties due to Corona, like all other folk artists, the Manganiyars too are having a tough time. With Meri Kala Meri Pehchan we wish to support them, support folk music, folk culture from Rajasthan, from all across India. We hope the youth of the country appreciate these folk forms, connect with and, ensure these forms survive and thrive. Nandini Mahesh (Founder & Director of Banyan Tree Events) About Meri Kala Meri Pehchan: The never seen before pandemic has and will have far reaching implications for the world of performing arts. It is a tough time ahead to say the least. Especially for our folk musicians from remote villages for whom their art is the only source of income, it is beyond disheartening helplessness. We needed to bring up a solution for their sustenance for the coming two years at least and a quick action is the need of the hour. Meri Kala Meri Pehchaan is created to reach out to the carriers of these unique and some near-extinct living traditions. This is an effort so that these artists do not lose faith in their capacity to support themselves and their families, faith in their art, and faith in their skill. This would also mean the art form survives longer and traverses these difficult times.” To contribute to this initiative, Call: 7738304072 or email on [email protected] #manganiyar #rajasthan folk #folkartists #folkartforms