If
the majestic forts and palaces are the body of Rajasthan then the folk
music is the soul of the land of the princes. The folk music gives the
people of Rajasthan a means of forgetting the tough living conditions in
the Desert and even adds a charm to the Desert land. The Rajasthan style
of music has made significant contribution in enriching the Indian music
as a whole. One finds music of different flavors being sung here
developing according to the local customs of the village life of
people. Here we will find folklores, hymns in praise of the Lord, tales
of chivalry of the Rajput Kings, songs in praise of the rain god etc. In
Rajasthan the art of music flourished under the patronage of the Rajput
Kings who encouraged music in their royal courts. In Rajasthan one will find a song for every occasion one can think of be it happy or sad. The panihari style of singing is an integral part of singing of the desert culture in which the women sing to appease the rain god to shower its blessing on the thirsty land of Rajasthan. A unique style of singing is found in Rajasthan as the lyrics are read in a prosaic style. They cannot be strictly referred to as songs and are generally known as soratha, duha etc. The folk idioms of the Saints like Kabirdas, Surdas and Mirabai are also very famous here which are sung in the praise of the Lord. Being the land of Rajputs the ballad tradition is strong in Rajasthan; the bard sings folklores in praise of the Folk heroes like Prithviraj Chauhan, Tejaji, Ramdeoji etc of their deeds at the battlefield.
The traditional musical culture of Rajasthan is preserved and popularized by a number of communities of Rajasthan who have dedicated their lives to music. These are the Dholis (both Hindus and Muslims), Mirasis, Langas, Kalawats and Qawwals, Manganniyars, Rawal, Nats, Bhawais, Fedalis, Kancharis, Tangas, Patars. The songs of Rajasthan would have no melody if they are not accompanied with the music which is produced by the instruments which have originated in Rajasthan. The group of String instruments includes the Sarangi, Ektara, Morchang, Kamayacha, Rawanhatta. Locally in the category of flute and bagpiper one finds here the bankia, shehnai, been, poongi, tarpi, algoza. In percussion instruments one will find here the huge nagaras on one hand and the small damru on the other. The music of Rajasthan has its own unique flavor which has kept the five thousand year old traditions of the state alive.