Workshop to promote Langa and Manganiyar folk artists held in Barmer

JAISALMER: Efforts have been started to conserve and revive folk music and songs of the Langa and Manganiyar communities. Apart from this, attempts are being made to improve the standard of living of Langa and Manganiyar people. These are the groups of hereditary professional musicians.
Magsaysay award winner Aruna Roy and social worker Nikhil Dey have begun the process by organising a workshop for folk artists of Barmer in this regard.The social workers said the situation of the two communities was pathetic. Only a select few have been able to achieve success by touring internationally but there is a lot of talent hidden in Manganiyar and Langas, the only need is to bring them forward and to give them a platform to perform.
Nikhil Dey said that the heritage of folk singing was in danger. The traditional folk music is dying out and very few folk instruments are left. Lyrics of many folk songs have been lost. Such music and art needs to be promoted. He said that there is craze for Rajasthani folk music in foreign countries. Many foreigners are enthusiastic about learning Rajasthani folk music. Lots of foreigners are coming to Marwar region for learning Rajasthani folk music and in such a scenario the time is right to promote the art of these communities.
Dey added the economic situation of the two communities is very bad and the education level among their children is also very low.
We have started a programme to bring them forward and this workshop kicked off the programme. Around 60-70 folk singers from Jaisalmer-Barmer participated in this two-day workshop.
Dey and Roy said a dialogue will be held at the district level to resolve the problems of these folk artists at local level.
Dey said that the next workshop of Khamayati will be organised in Jaisalmer in February. Such workshops will give new life to the music and musical instruments of these communities and would bring about social and economic change in their lives.