07 January,2024 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish Kamble
The trio performs folk compositions at an event in Jodhpur. Pic Courtesy/Bhawani Singh Begad
This writer's earliest tryst with folk music was witnessing a group of traditional Rajasthani musicians enchant a group of tourists at an intimate setting in a quaint town in western Rajasthan. In the chilly desert air, amidst swirling winds, the raw, earthy melodies of the musicians and their instruments stood out like a refreshing oasis, leaving an unforgettable mark on our memories. As folk music gains worldwide recognition and adapts its sound for newer audiences and their tastes, musicians Sadiq Khan, Asin Khan and Zakir Khan aka SAZ are determined to bring the same timeless rustic essence to a seemingly unusual setting, a Mumbai club.
Over a short email conversation with the trio from the Langa community it becomes clear that they are no rookies at performing for unfamiliar crowds. The musicians have travelled across the globe for performances and collaborations in the USA, Italy, France and China. "For us, our traditions form the foundation and the continuing inspiration for our performances and original compositions. Even when we collaborate with world artistes across genres, our focus remains on doing justice to the folk traditions of Rajasthan," the artistes share.
Divya Bhatia, a festival director and producer for SAZ agrees. He reveals, "I was on the lookout for artistes from the region who wanted to grow while holding their roots paramount way back in 2008. I noticed that many musicians modernised themselves to an extent where they relinquished a core connection with their traditions," adding that it was in Asin Khan, vocalist and Sindhi Sarangi player that he first saw a glimmer of hope. Following subsequent interactions and collaborations with khartal player Zakir Khan and Sadiq Khan, an experienced dholak percussionist, Bhatia concluded his search to form SAZ in 2019.
Under the wings of the producer, the trio found the guidance to rearrange the compositions they carry with them from their hometown to be presented at stages around the world. With compositions such as Sundar gori, Saajan, and Neemdi, the trio has struck the right balance between writing their own compositions and performing folk classics. But how does a group so deeply in touch with the traditional way of performing their music woo audiences that might not even understand the words to their songs. The artistes reveal that Rajasthani folk music has carved a special place in people's hearts across the country today owing to its unpretentiousness. "The crowds recognise popular Rajasthani compositions like Kesariya balam, Pallo latke and Laal peeli akhiyan. When we notice them singing and clapping along, we know the mood has been set for the rest of the performance, beyond that it's an exchange of energy between us" the trio shares.
Leaving us with an anecdote from one of their favourite memories performing for new audiences, Asin Khan shares, "We were recently performing at a venue in Puducherry. A member from the audience approached us after the show, and he showed keen interest in the Sindhi Sarangi. We spent time carefully explaining the complexities and novelties of the instrument to him and even gave him a demonstration of how it works." It comes as no surprise then, that the humble, rooted trio finds it to be no big task to enchant audiences wherever their music takes them.
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