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Manganiar Music Traditions

The legacy of Jaisalmer's wandering minstrels

Jaisalmer is known for its local music tradition carried through generations by the Manganiar community – with Muslim ancestry and Sufi-esque folk songs. Descendants of Rajasthan’s royal Rajput clans, the Manganiars are the desert troubadours, once patronized by the feudal lords. Their music incorporates a variety of indigenous instruments; the 17-stringed ‘khamaycha’ made of mango-wood, goatskin, and goat-intestine cords, the teakwood castanets or ‘khartaals’, and the ‘dholak’ – a bongo-like instrument coated with tar, clay, and sand for an inimitable timbre. Visit the Hamira or Barna villages around Jaisalmer, for a deeper insight into the Manganiar music traditions, and an interaction with the world-famous Manganiar musician, Ghazi Khan.

Activities from the Destination

Places of interest to weave into your itinerary

Historic Quarters & Havelis

Tour Jaisalmer's historic heart
Jaisalmer Fort Walk

A fort that breathes history

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