Rajasthan Street Music

Rajasthan (राजस्थान), which means "land of kings," is the largest state in India, located in the northwest of the country. With harsh expanses of the Thar Desert, it is separated from the Pakistani provinces of Sindh and Punjab, while to the south it borders the Indian state of Gujarat.

Centuries of continuous invasions and brutal battles, the rule of the Scythians, Mauryas, Satraps, Gurjaras, Mughals, Rajputs, and British have left their mark on the local folklore. Today, due to frequent power outages, prolonged droughts, drying rivers, and ongoing desertification, Rajasthan remains a challenging place to live. The hardships of the past and present have endowed the people of Rajasthan with a proud character, which is felt in the state's music.

Seb Bassleer compiled Rajasthan Street Music in various cities, villages, and remote areas of Rajasthan during a two-month journey. This collection is not an exhaustive folklore study or an ethnomusicological project. Rather, it presents the musical landscape of Rajasthan in the mid-2000s, capturing the soundscape beyond the academic approach to Rajasthani music.
Translation powered by