Manganiar

The Manganhar are a Muslim community found in the desert of Rajasthan, India; mostly in the districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer. Sigalso found in the districts of Tharparkar and Sanghar in the bordering province of Sindh in Pakistan. They along with the, Langha community, are known for their folk music. They are the groups of hereditary professional musicians, whose music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations.

Manghanhar
Manganiar children performing with their guru at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur at World Sufi Spirit Fstival in 2016.
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Rajasthan, India · Sindh, Pakistan
Languages
Marwari · Sindhi Dhatti (Dhattki)
Religion
Islam

History and origin

The manganhars consider themselves descendants of the Rajputs and are renowned as folk musicians of the Thar desert. Their songs are passed on from generation to generation as a form of oral history of the desert. The traditional jajman (patrons) of the manganhar are the locally dominant Rajput community, while the Langha have a similar relationship with the Sindhi-Sipahi, a community of Muslim Rajputs. At times of birth, marriage or any family festivity for their Rajput patrons, the manganhar musicians sing songs of the desert and many specially composed songs to praise the patron and his family .

Though manganhar and Langhas communities are Muslim, in Rajasthan many manganhar songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi where the performers traditionally invoke the Hindu God Krishna and seek his blessing before beginning their recital. However lately few members of manganhar community have started converting from Islam to Hinduism under preaching and influence from Hindu organisations.[1]

Present circumstances

In 1978, Jodhpur-based musician Komal Kothari provided the manganhars with institutional support, allowing them to sing outside the state for the first time. Currently, several manganhar groups tour internationally.

Instruments

Kamaicha
The 17-string khamaycha is a bowed instrument. Made of mango wood, its rounded resonator is covered with goat skin. Three of its strings are goat intestine while the other 14 strings are steel.

Khartaal
The khartaal is a kind of castanet made of teak. Its name is derived from "Khar", meaning hand, and "Taal", meaning rhythm.

Dholak
The dholak is a hand drum similar in timbre to a bongo. A dholak may have traditional lacing or turnbuckle tuning. The dholak has a simple membrane and a handle on the right hand side. The left hand membrane has a special coating on the inner surface. This coating is a mixture of tar, clay and sand (dholak masala) which lowers the pitch.

Notable people

References
  1. 250 Manganiar from 50 families embrace Hinduism on 05/08/2020.
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