Folk Music of Rajasthan: The distinctive geographical environment of Rajasthan lends colourfulness to its folk life. The history of its people, social and moral ideals is all treasured in its folk music. Folk songs of Rajasthan express every context and aspect of life.
Folk music is a reflection of natural outpourings of the felt experience of the common people. The bases of the folk music are the folk songs, which are sung on various festivals and ceremonies in chorus. Use of folk instruments enhances their melody.
Rabindranath Tagore has called folk music that art of culture, which is a carrier of a pleasant and delightful message. In words of Gandhiji, ‘folk songs are the language of people, they are custodians of our culture.’
In the Standard dictionary of folklore, mythology and legend, folk song is defined thus: Folk songs are the music-poetic compositions of that group of people whose literature is enshrined in the oral tradition.
Folk music cannot be compared with the classical music as the former is for almost every occasion – family and social functions, seasons, sacraments, festivals, gods and goddesses, ceremonials and rituals. Classical music is canonical and is required to be learnt whereas folk music is a spontaneous outpouring of the sentiments and emotions.
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We can divide folk music into three categories. The first category of folk music includes those songs which are sung by people on different occasions. Second category includes those songs which evolved in a feudal environment. Many castes sang songs in praise of their patron king or feudal lords etc. to earn their bread and butter. The third category consists of songs in which regional features are abundantly visible.
Folk Music of Rajasthan List
- Ghoomar dance
- Panihari
- Gorband
- Mumal
- Kesariya Balam
- Kachhi Ghodi
- Lahriyo
- Maand
- Pabuji Ki Phach
- Chirmi
- Gangaur
- Kathputli
- Ravanhatta
- Teerah taali
- Allah Jilai Bai
- Hichki
- Kalbelia
- Kamancheh
- Kangasiyo
- Bani Thani
- Chari dance
- Fire Dance
- Gair dance
- Kurjan
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