Folk Songs of Rajasthan
Folk songs are a spontaneous expression of the joy and sorrow of the human mind, reflecting the natural evocations of the common people . Poet Rabindranath Tagore called them an art that carries a pleasant message of culture, while Gandhiji described them as the language of the people and the watchman of our culture .
Commercial Folk Songs
During the monarchical era in Rajasthan, many castes adopted music as their profession, singing in praise of their patrons like kings and feudal lords . These communities developed various musical ragas . Heroic songs sung during wartime were often based on the Sindhu and Maru ragas .
- Professional Castes: Langa, Manganiyar, Dholi, Dhadhi, Mirasi, Kalbeliya, Kalavant, Bhat, Rao, Jogi, Kamad, Vairagi, Gandharva, Bhope, Bhavai, Rana, and Kathik are some of the major musical castes .
- Music Ragas: These songs often reflect shadows of ragas like Mand (developed in Jaisalmer), Des, Sorath (from Saurashtra in Gujarat), Maru, Parj, Kalingra, Jogia, Asavari, Bilawal, Peelu, and Khamaj .
Regional Folk Songs
Rajasthan's folk songs can be mainly divided into three regional categories :
1. Folk Songs of the Desert Region
- Area: Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Phalodi, Jodhpur .
- Songs: Peepli, Kevda, Panihari, Rana Ratan Singh (King of Amarkoth), Mumal, Ghughari, Chirmi, Kurnjaan .
- Characteristics: Due to the open atmosphere, the folk songs here have higher vocals, longer melodies, and more vocal expansion. The Mondal is a key musical instrument .
2. Folk Songs of the Hilly Area
- Area: Udaipur, Salumber, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh, Sirohi .
- Songs: Patelya, Bichio, Laler, Machhar, Mokhila, Thaari Oonth Ri Aswari, Naveri Aswari, Shikaar, Hamseedhon .
- Characteristics: Group folk songs performed by both men and women are more prevalent, with a strong presence of tribal folk songs .
3. Folk Songs of the Plain Region
- Area: Jaipur, Kota, Bundi, Alwar, Bharatpur, Deeg, Dhaulpur, Karauli .
- Songs: Primarily songs of Bhakti (devotion) and Shringar Rasa (romantic love) .
- Characteristics: Rajasthan is rich in folk music, with the highest number of songs belonging to Shringar-Rasa. These often describe the pain of separation (disconnection), as men frequently traveled for trade or work. Shringar Rasa is followed by Shant Rasa (peace) and then Veer Rasa (heroism) .
Popular Folk Songs
- 1. Kesariya Balam: This is the state song of Rajasthan, sung in the "Mand singing style." In this song, a wife calls her husband to return from a foreign land (Pardes) .
- 2. Moreo: A song sung by a girl who is engaged but not yet married .
- 3. Kurjan: A wife sends a message through the Kurjan bird (Siberian Crane) to her husband who is abroad .
- 4. Suvatio: Bhil women send messages to their husbands through a parrot .
- 5. Kaga: A woman shoos away a crow, taking it as an omen that her estranged husband will return .
- 6. Hichki: A folk song from the Mewat Region (Alwar), sung when someone is being remembered or recalled .
- 7. Bichudo: A popular folk song from the Hadoti Region .
- 8. Kaman: This song is sung to protect the groom from witchcraft .
- 9. Badhawa: A folk song performed upon the successful completion of an auspicious work .
- 10. Sithane: Abusive songs sung playfully by women during a wedding .
- 11. Pavana: A song sung upon the arrival of a son-in-law .
- 12. Jhorwa: A folk song from the Jaisalmer region, sung in memory of someone .
- 13. Dhola – Maru: A folk song from the Sirohi region, based on the love story of Dhola Maru. It is traditionally sung by singers of the Dhadhi caste .
- 14. Olyun/Koyal: This song is sung during the vidai (farewell ceremony) of a girl after her wedding .