Kesariya baalam aao ni padharo mhare des...
Nimbuda nimbuda nimbuda...
Pallo latke re mharo pallo latke...
Damadam mast kalandar...
Alija mharo gorband nakhralo...
I am humming these songs since last few days. These evocative folk songs from the land of sand dunes instantly transports one to the vibrant hues and culture of Rajasthan. Last Friday, I listened to electrifying performance of Merasi folk singers from Rajasthan at India culture lab, Vikhroli.
The Merasi singers enthralled the audience with their sonorous, melodic and robust folk songs accompanied by enchanting yet simple musical instruments giving a beat or drone effect to their mesmerizing lyrics and compositions.
Nimbuda nimbuda nimbuda...
Pallo latke re mharo pallo latke...
Damadam mast kalandar...
Alija mharo gorband nakhralo...
I am humming these songs since last few days. These evocative folk songs from the land of sand dunes instantly transports one to the vibrant hues and culture of Rajasthan. Last Friday, I listened to electrifying performance of Merasi folk singers from Rajasthan at India culture lab, Vikhroli.
The Merasi singers enthralled the audience with their sonorous, melodic and robust folk songs accompanied by enchanting yet simple musical instruments giving a beat or drone effect to their mesmerizing lyrics and compositions.
It was amazing to find children
as young as seven/eight being part of the
performance and thus being introduced to their rich heritage of music, running in their
families through generations, a world class extraordinary legacy of about 38 generations to be precise! The children in the group were enthusiastic singers, dancers and played array of instruments with such finesse that their renditions completely spellbound the listeners.
Merasis, also known as manganiyar are the keepers of art of storytelling through their invigorating mosaic of sacred Hindu, Sufi and traditional music of varied flavours, rhythms and enlightenment. Merasis have been creating magic by composing, performing, narrating different tales and in the process maintaining their vibrant distinctive legacy. The folk music of Merasis is a unique blend of folk, lyrical, melodic, full bodied, intense and vigourous. Their performance is a distinct collage of amazing songs along with percussion and string instruments, like nagara, dhol, khartal, morchang and harmonium. My favourite part of the entire performance was the jugalbandi between morchang and dholak which I heard for the first time in life!
Merasis, also known as manganiyar are the keepers of art of storytelling through their invigorating mosaic of sacred Hindu, Sufi and traditional music of varied flavours, rhythms and enlightenment. Merasis have been creating magic by composing, performing, narrating different tales and in the process maintaining their vibrant distinctive legacy. The folk music of Merasis is a unique blend of folk, lyrical, melodic, full bodied, intense and vigourous. Their performance is a distinct collage of amazing songs along with percussion and string instruments, like nagara, dhol, khartal, morchang and harmonium. My favourite part of the entire performance was the jugalbandi between morchang and dholak which I heard for the first time in life!
The Merasi,
traditionally have made living by singing paeans at Hindu temples performing at weddings, child naming ceremonies and other social events. These days, one finds them at many cultural events which is very encouraging as such unique folk music traditions need to be kept alive for they narrate tales from our rich cultural, historical and social traditions.
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| The Merasi singers group performing |
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| A percussion instruments player from Merasi group |
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| Artists playing jugalbandi between string and percussion instruments |
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| Merasi artists playing morchang and dholak |
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| Childrean from the Merasi group performing enthusiastically |
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| Merasi artists, in their vibrant costumes and musical instruments |
