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The Global Manganiar
One of the foremost Manganiar musicians, Sakar Khan, who was instrumental in taking the traditional folk music of Rajasthan and Khamaicha instrument...
One of the foremost Manganiar musicians, Sakar Khan, who was instrumental in taking the traditional folk music of Rajasthan and Khamaicha instrument to the world stage, passed away on August 10 at his home in Hamira village near Jaisalmer at the age of 75
The Manganiars, a caste of Muslim musicians are the most sophisticated musicians of Western Rajasthan. Their songs are the oral history that is passed on from one generation to the other and their folk music is unique in its form and instruments, Kamaicha, khartal and dholak.
The manganiar’s music would lie in neglect but for the efforts of few who keep the tradition alive. Among the torchbearers of this traditional art form was Sakar Khan, a Padma Shri recipient who played the traditional Rajasthani Khamaicha instrument and took it to the international stage. The roots of khamaicha go back to the eighth century. The 17-string instrument is an interesting bowed instrument made of mango wood with its rounded resonator covered with goat skin. Three of its strings are goat intestine while the other 14 strings are steel.
Born in the village of Hamira in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, Sakar Khan, considered to be one of the top-most Khamaicha players, brought the music a lot of prominence in India and across the world. He learnt to play the instrument from his father Chunar Khan, who was a legend in his community. He performed with music greats like American violinist Lord Yehudi Menuhin and lead guitarist of the Beatles band among others. He toured Europe, the US and Asia in the 70s and 80s, was conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1991, and recorded his first and last album, "At Home: Sakar Khan" in September 2012. He continued to play his instrument until the end when he died on August 10 at the age of 75. He had been a priceless ornament to the Indian folk tradition and a pillar of strength and inspiration for the other community members to keep the music tradition alive. After his demise, it is now left to his sons, Ghewar, Firoze and Dara Khan, accomplished musicians in their own right, who learnt to play the instrument from their father, to carry the legacy forward.
