Tunes from the Thar

Kutle Khan, well-known folk singer from Rajasthan, talks to us on the enduring charm of desert music and his project to help the Manganiyar community.

Kutle Khan (centre) with members of the band.

It’s not easy to replicate the romance of the sandstone city of Jaisalmer, the undulating golden dunes of the great Thar or the allure of regal forts.

But a Rajasthani spirit permeated the premises of Sir Mutha Venkata Subba Rao Concert Hall with colourful rickshaws, safas, baitaks, moong dal kachoris, aam panna and of course, the Kutle Khan Project. On the occasion of the hall’s sixth anniversary, on a warm March evening, guests ventured on a mind travel to the cradle of love and war with Kutle Khan; his euphoric, buoyant voice bringing alive emotion-rich desert ballads and Sufi kalams.  

Just 15 minutes before the performance, inside the green room, there are no traces of pre-concert anxiety nor are there any last-minute frenzied exchanges. Instead, Kutle Khan and his team dressed impeccably in their traditional attire, relax over plates of 

bhajias . There is friendly banter, jokes and laughter — the musicians exude confidence and exuberance, and readily answer questions.

“I don’t know what it is like to be nervous, in fact, none of us know. Since the day a child is born in the Manganiyar community, music becomes an extension of its life. We learn nothing else,” smiles Kutle Khan, master of khartal (a popular folk instrument) and head of the band, unabashed about his rural moorings.

Khan was eight when he began singing and playing almost all the instruments like morchang, dholak, khartal, bhapang, sarangi and harmonium that the Manganiyars use in their music. His musician-father was delighted with his son’s interest and the two spent almost the entire day exploring various facets of the folk genre.

“Though most of us make money by performing at Rajput weddings and other events, we are not commercially driven because music is our sole identity. It’s the way we connect with the world,” he says twirling his moustache.

Khan is thrilled, though, with the growing popularity of their music the world over and the Manganiyars becoming a part of prestigious festivals. He feels social media has played a major role in this. He also attributes it to the open-mindedness of contemporary listeners. “ Technology ka bada haath hai humko gaon se yahan thak leaane mein (technology has brought us this far from our remote villages). It’s amazing the way people now share music on the Internet,” he says in heavily Rajasthani-accented Hindi.

The most satisfying thing about music, he feels, is finding your own groove, your characteristic sound. Khan realised it only when he stepped out of his village. “I used to sing like everybody else and it wasn’t taking me anywhere. When I travelled for shows, I began listening to artistes of other genres – Bollywood, classical, Indi-pop, jazz and even Sufi. It was fun watching them collaborate and experiment. It was a great learning experience when I became part of such unconventional musical settings such as Coke Studio.”

Kutle Khan has travelled to almost 50 countries and performed in every nook and corner of India, “but I am most happy when I get back to my village because there I am surrounded only by the sound of music and not honking horns,” he laughs, adjusting his colourful turban.

His deep love for his roots led him to form the Kutle Khan Project. “I wanted to create a platform for validating the folk arts of Rajasthan, many of which face extinction. It’s my way of demonstrating the Manganiyars’ skill as artistes and entertainers. I go around villages scouting for promising musicians, hone their talent and include them in my performances. The project aims at ensuring the continuation of our musical heritage.”

From sharing the stage with international names such as Karsh Kale and Susheela Raman, Khan has also sung for well-known Indian film composers. “Can you believe it? I have sung a Tamil song for the film Aambala ,” he laughs.

“Such musical stopovers are exciting. Chennai or Chittorgarh, I enjoy being on the move, especially when music is the reason. After all, I am from a nomadic community,” he quips.

“The thing about folk music is,” he continues looking at his fellow musicians who nod in agreement, “it’s so diverse and illustrative. It draws pictures while you listen to it. These songs have a purpose — they tell a story to ease cluttered minds. There’s no pomposity or ego,” says Khan, as he walks towards the stage. It’s time for the Manganiyar seduction.