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Folk Music
Folk Music of Bikaner
There
is a great tradition of popular poetry, which is written under the rival banners
of Turru and Kalangi. This is a sung in groups in Jikri, Kanhaiyya or Geet(of
the Meenas), Hele-ke-Khyal and Bam Rasiya of Eastern Rajasthan. Group singing
of classical bandishes, called the Dangal or taalbandi is also unique to this
region. Bhopas are singing priests of various deities or warrior saints.The
Bhopas of Mataji wear costumes and play the Mashak.
Dance is often part of the musical tradition and the Theories or Nayaks who
are Pabu Bhopas, have a female accompanist; together they recite the phad (
a painted ballad). The phad itself is an elaborately painted work of art and
deeply venerated. The Chipas or Joshis are famous phad painters.
The Jogis were well-known for their recitation of the great ballad Nihalde Sultan,
Shivji-ka-byawala and songs about Gopi Chand and Bhartrihari. Most of these
musical communities live a rural base and function as wandering minstrels traveling
from village to village. There are many other artists in different art forms
who use music as an accompaniment. The Dholies, also known as Mirasis, Dhadhies,
Manganiyarv and Langas are known for their distinct musical styles.
