Mystique of the Manganiyars and Langas at Esplanade Recital Studio

Located in the Northwest corner of India, Rajasthan is as renowned for its warriors as its artists. The Thar Desert in the western part of the region has been a source of musical inspiration for two major inhabitant groups for many generations – the Maganiyars and Langas. The music of both are identified with a richness of depth and complexity attested by the remarkable vocal ornamentation. In contrast to the short folkloric songs of the Langas, the Manganiyars perform longer suites of vocal and instrumental sections, starting with a slow vocal introduction without rhythm, preparing the listener for the tremendous emotional force of the intricate melodies that follows.
While the Manganiyars accompany their songs with the fiddle-like kamanchiya, the instrument of choice for the Langas is the sarangi, both characterised with a deep, resonating sound, reverberating with the endlessness of the night sky in the desert. Their harsh but highly technical and controlled style of singing may be a remembrance of the long gone days of fierce Rajput warriors, who are immortalised in these epic songs, glorifying legendary princes and heroes. Though most of the musicians are Muslims, some of their repertoire are from poems celebrating both carnal and divine love, performed in praise of Hindu deities, particularly Lord Krishna. One may say that the sudden twists and turns materialised in the voice of the main singer is a reminder of the intriguing stories of the ever capricious gods of the Hindu Pantheon.
Hailing from the Thar desert, members of Divana Ensemble all come from renowned Manganiyar and Langa families. Reinforced with haunting ragas, rousing vocals and innovative rhythms, and led by Anwar Khan, one of the greatest voices of his generation, the ensemble offers audiences traditional Rajasthani music of the Thar desert at its finest.