Manganiyars – The Virtuoso Musicians of Rajasthan

Famous for their classical folk music, the Manganiyars find a special mention and inordinate respect in the folk music circuit of India. Manganiyar is a hereditary community living in the obscure villages between India and Pakistan. In the Sindh province of Pakistan and in India’s Western Rajasthan, the Manganiars have been musical performers for generations and genealogists for higher caste patrons. These skilled folk musicians of the Thar pass on their songs from generation to generation in a form of oral history of the desert.

Manganiyars are Muslim by religion but they present a true example of communal bonhomie in India. Their universe of songs also has praising verses for Hindu deities and traditionally they pray to the Hindu god Krishna and seek his blessing before starting their performance. During the time of the Maharajas, the Manganiyars were the musicians of the Rajput courts; they used to accompany chiefs to war and provided them with music before and after the battle. On the event of their patron’s death, they would sing day and night until the mourning was over.

Today the Manganiyars continue to conserve their extraordinary art of oral renditions of folklore. They perform on various occasions at the house of the rich. Their music is an indispensable part of weddings, engagements, and births, and has hundreds of songs for each occasion. Describing the patron’s or Jajmaan’s illustrious history mixed with the lyrics of pride and honour is their specialty. Now the performances of Managaniyars have reached some of the world’s biggest stages and their performances are highly appreciated not only due to their unique vocals and instruments but also because of their ability to move audiences from immense joy to tears of happiness.

Musical Instruments used by the Manganiyars

Just like their unique vocals, the Manganiyars also use some special musical instruments that are the most difficult Indian instruments to master. The Khamaycha, Harmonium, Dholak, Khartal, Morchang or 40 strings Sarangi are a few instruments used by the Manganiyar artist.

Kamaicha: It is the most significant instrument of the Manganiyar community. It is their version of Mandolin and is only played by them. Made of mango wood, it has 17 strings: three special strings made of goat intestine for the melody and fourteen of steel for melodious resonance. It is played with a specially designed bow made of horse hair and when it touches the three strings made for the melody it produces a soul-stirring sound.

Harmonium: Similar to the pipe organ or reed organ, the harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument where sound is produced by air supplied by the hand-operated bellows.

Dholak: Dholak is a common instrument used in Hindustani (Indian) Classical Music. It is a twin faced drum for perfect rhythms.

Khartal: With special movements of the hands Khartal produces melodious sounds. It is made of Sheesham wood. When played, it evokes a delightful combination of rhythm and the musical notes.

Morchang: The Morchang is made of a metal ring with two parallel forks forming the frame, a fixed metal tongue between the forks, fixed at one end and free to vibrate at the other. The tongue is bent at the free end perpendicularly to the circular ring so that it can be struck and made to vibrate.

Famous Manganiyar Artists:

Sakar Khan Manganiyar: Born in 1938 in Hamira, Rajasthan, he was considered as one of the greatest players of Kamaicha. In the year 2013, the Government of India honoured Sakar Khan with the fourth highest civilian award of Padma Shri. Internationally, his concerts have taken place in countries like USA, France, Japan, Belgium and erstwhile USSR. This legendary artist has also collaborated with well known musicians like George Harrison from the Beatles.

Mame Khan: Born in a village of Satto near Jaisalmer, Mame Khan is a modern day sensation from the Manganiyar community. His voice finds a special place in the folk music of Rajasthan. The songs of Sufi saints of Sindh and Rajasthan including Kabir, Bulleh Shah, and Baba Ghulam Farid are sung by Mame Khan with energy and joy. He has not only performed across India but also around the world including Europe, Africa, America and the Middle East. He is the man behind the main vocals of the famed Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel. Recently he has also won the GIMA’s (Global Indian Music Academy) Best Folk Single Award for the song called “Sawaan” for his debut album Desert Sessions.

The trance of the Manganiyars awaits your arrival in their desert land. If you wish to travel to the land of the Manganiyars, you just need to Contact Us and we will craft a tailor-made tour that will echo the tones of this gifted artisan community.

Six Must Visit Monsoon destinations in India

Are you in love with the rains? Visiting Monsoon destinations in India is an experience of a lifetime. Monsoon in India typically starts from July till September when forests and mountains get greener, lakes and waterfalls become heavenly and living creatures get respite from the summer heat. Such places are truly a rhapsody of joy, beauty and relief from the intense heat.

India has loads to offer when it comes to monsoon, be it the seaside or the rugged terrains. It is advisable to check the weather forecast first before planning your trip to any monsoon destination in India to know about the volume of rain that you can expect. You should not be trapped inside your hotel room for the whole day!

So, if you are planning to explore the versatility and serenity of different Indian states during monsoon, then here are the details of some of the destinations in India which you can visit.

Top Monsoon Destinations in India

Cherrapunji – Wettest Place on Earth

General Information: If you are looking for places to visit in Monsoon, then Cherrapunji must top your list. Amidst a mist covered valley and gorging rivers at about 4500 feet lies this amazing town in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills. Making an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the earth’s wettest place, Cherrapunji is a magical place for people who just love to let themselves go. In Cherrapunji, it rains heavily during monsoon but the notable feature is that most of the rainfall happens in the morning.

Weather: Wettest in the months of May to September, the area enjoys an amicable climate almost all year round.

Things To Do: Cherrapunji has loads to offer to nature lovers, other than its scenic beauty. But on a clear day a person can see as far as Bangladesh, atop a peak. There also lies a labyrinth of passages under age-old caves which can be a dream exploration site for explorers across the world. Numerous natural root bridges make your walk through the lush green forest most exciting.

Kodaikanal – Princess of Hill Stations

General information: Referred to as the “Princess of hill stations”, Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu offers a great option for people, who want a break from their daily routine and spend some time in the lap of Mother Nature. An extraordinary beauty, when it comes to monsoons, it is a place you are sure to fall in love with.

Weather: During the summer days, the temperature in Kodaikanal is agreeable and it remains around 18 Celcius. Unlike other states, Kodaikanal experiences a pleasant summer. July and August months in Kodai are characterized by bouts of heavy rainfall. The nights during the monsoon are very cold with light drizzle or occasional showers, which knock the temperatures down to freezing degrees. This feature makes Kodaikanal one of the perfect monsoon destinations in India.

Things To Do: There are numerous things to do in Kodaikanal. Walk around the Berijam lake or cycle around the Kodai lake surrounded by trees. Visit the tea and coffee estates of the Nilgiri mountain range. Enjoy the enchanting view of the city and the low lying southern plains from the Palani Hills. Go for a nature walk and visit numerous waterfalls which are dotted around Kodaikanal like Dolmen Circle, Bear Shola Falls, 80 Mile Round, Fairy Falls, and Vattakanal Falls to name a few. Walking, boating and cycling are the popular options to unwind.

Orchha – Off Beat Monsoon Destination in India

General Information: If you are fed up with visiting the overcrowded touristic destinations, then Orchha or Urchha is one of the places, which can make you feel nostalgic. Situated in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the swiftly flowing river Betwa, this is a place that inflows magic. Just 15 kms from Jhansi, Orchha is full of some great architecture of ancient times that demand special attention.

Weather: Summer days in Orchha are extremely hot and humid. So, a visit to this place should be avoided in this season. Monsoon starts here from July and lasts till September. Rains bring freshness everywhere. Winter starts here in December lasting till February.

Things To Do: There are many historic architectural marvels in Orchha that you can visit. When in Orchha make sure that you visit the Orchha Fort, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Royal Cenopaths, Chaturbhuj Temple and Dinman Hardaul’s Palace. Besides, there is an Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary which is also referred to as a bird sanctuary because of the 200 different bird species near the river ecosystem. You can also try rafting in River Betwa as it will be brimming with water. All of these make Orchha a great tourist destination with historical and adventurous interests.

Udaipur – A Royal Destination with a Monsoon Palace

General Information: Udaipur is one of the cities in Rajasthan that boasts a monsoon palace along with many other historic structures. Filled with many tranquil lakes and numerous gardens, the city is a delight in the monsoons. Visiting this city is all about reliving royalty and valuing the man made beauty of this city. The formidable Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake are known for their paradisaical views.

Weather: The weather in Udaipur remains very hot during the summer days. During the rainy season, Udaipur– the “Venice of East” comes alive, forming one of the most popular monsoon destinations in India. Monsoon is the second best season to visit Udaipur after winter. Though it remains humid but this royal city will not disappoint you.

Things To Do: Some of the popular places to visit are: Fateh Sagar Lake, Jagdish Temple, the City Palace and Lake Pichola. Besides, this city is also well known as a popular shopping destination.

Valley of Flowers — Flowery Drizzle Paradise

General Information: Set in the backdrop of the majestic Zanskar Range, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Valley of Flowers is a sight to behold. This paradise on earth was unknown to the outside world till the great mountaineers Frank S Smith and R.L. Holdsworth discovered it in the year 1931. Unspoiled by human invasions this monsoon destination in India is the second core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. With the flamboyant paddocks, crystalline streams and majestic peaks, this baroque of flowers is a worthy spectacle.

Weather: The valley remains inaccessible during winter months and the best time to see the valley in bloom is from mid July to Mid August.

Things To Do: You can visit the Nanda Devi National Park. The park boasts of rich bio-diversity with many exotic varieties of Himalayan plants and endangered animals. Rare species like the snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, blue sheep and brown bear are on the verge of extinction and the park gives them a natural environment to inhabit. This park is dazzlingly gorgeous with the awesome paddocks of alpine orchards and majestic sceneries. A visitor can enter at 7 am and needs to come out by 5 pm. You can also visit the Hemkund Sahib, a popular Sikh pilgrimage site situated at a height of over 15,000 ft above the sea level.

Kovalam — Monsoon on the Sea

General Information: Kovalam is a beach town located in the state of Kerala by the Arabian Sea. Once a calm fishing village, it has now become one of the major tourist destination spots in Kerala. Also called the Paradise of South, and ranked as the top beach in India, the rainy season is an ideal time to visit Kovalam.

Weather: November to February is winter in Kovalam. June to August are the monsoon months, which are accompanied by rainfall and thunderstorms. September- March is the best time of the year to visit Kovalam.

Things To Do: Long walks on the beach, feasting on fresh seafood cooked by the locals and enjoying the Kerala Ayurvedic treatments are some of the activities you can try in Kovalam. It is during the monsoon when an Ayurvedic treatment shows better results than the rest of the year, so now you know what makes Kovalam a monsoon destination in India. You can also surf in Kovalam as it is considered to be one of the best places in India for surfing.

Cultural beliefs in India deem the monsoons as a blessing that cleanse both the earth and its inhabitants. The country’s landscapes come to life after the hot summer months, and present themselves in a completely different light. The land of mystical natural beauties, India is a mystery waiting to be unraveled in the midst of the drizzling droplets.

Plan a memorable trip to India to experience the best monsoon destinations she has to offer!

Interview with Pat Farmer – Spirit of India Run

We recently interviewed ultra marathon runner Mr. Patrick Francis Daniel aka Pat Farmer for successfully completing his Spirit of India run. Those who do not know him, Pat is a multiple world record holder for endurance running who undertook his dream run across India to raise money for girl education. Dedicated to helping humanity, this extraordinary human has run from the North Pole to the South Pole, raising AUD$ 1000,000 for Red Cross International. He ran the Middle East Peace Run covering Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Palestine, as well as the 3,000 kilometres Vietnam Run. (more…)

The Best Five India Travel Videos

How about watching a few travel inspiration videos before you start your India travel this year? I understand how difficult it is for a traveler to sit tightly on a couch and daydream about the destination when already bitten by the travel bug.  Do not worry! Today I have brought some antidotes to share with you all. I present you with the best five India Travel videos that will visually transport you to Incredible India.

So let us Jet Set Go… (more…)