Hymns from the Land of the Kings

From the desert of western Rajasthan to the world's most coveted music stages, the Manganiyars are folk artists whose unusual origins have brought them beyond the sand dunes. Hailing from obscure villages in western Rajasthan, the Manganiyars are a community of generational musicians who are custodians of an oral heritage dating back centuries. For the Manganiyars, music is more than a means of livelihood—it is their very identity. Their practice stems from a deep-lived understanding of the history and culture of their ancestors and is steeped in epics, stories and myths of the region. The Manganiyars, through their songs, are chroniclers of time.

Embark on a journey through time with the hymns, poetry, stories and songs of the Manganiyars, featuring rare traditional instruments of the community. Let the eminent vocalist Dada Khan, with tandura (plucked lute) in hand, transport you to the sand dunes of Rajasthan with music from across bhakti and Sufi traditions, from composer-saints and poets such as Kabir, Mirabai, Bulleh Shah and Shah Latif.