Dappuji and his Kamayacha

Dappuji and his Kamayacha

Dappuji and his Kamayacha

Dappuji and his Kamayacha, Fort, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The man in this picture is 'Brilliant Dappuji', one of the last three finest players of 'kamayacha'. He is majestic with the magical kamayacha in his hands and the ability to move one to a state of trance. Used exclusively by the Manganiyars in the Jaisalmer-Barmer region, the Kamayacha has a big, circular resonator which produces a deep booming sound.

Baul Singers

Baul Singers

Baul Singers. Bauls are a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal. They constitute both a syncretic religious sect and a musical tradition. Bauls are a very heterogeneous group with many sects, but their membership mainly consists of Vaishnava Hindus and Sufi Muslims. They can often be identified by their distinctive clothes and musical instruments. Not much is known of their origin. Lalon Fakir is regarded as the most important poet-practitioner of the Baul tradition. Baul music had a great influence on Rabindranath Tagore's poetry and on his music (Rabindra Sangeet). In 2005, the Baul tradition was included in the list of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.