A bright red turban on his weather-beaten face, off-setting his white garments, a bow moving gracefully over the strings of his Sarangi – this quintessential image evokes the melodious and plaintive echoes of Rajasthan.

Music and dance are part of Rajasthan’s daily lifestyle; a highly cultured civilization that across the millennia has persevered through its turbulent history, braving the exigencies of their environment. Rajasthanis feed their spirits and souls through the life-affirming traditions passed on from one generation to the next, for the most part by ordinary people, not professionals. http://www.rajasthanunlimited.com

Rajasthan's tapestry encompasses highly cultivated classical music, dance and folklore; art forms that have been consciously encouraged and patronized by the erstwhile royal courts. As well, the simple folk-culture and folklore rooted in the tribes and villages is equally fascinating and mesmerizing. The music is uncomplicated, innocent, depicting history, religion, relationships, responsibilities and chores, with pathos, humor and wisdom.

So deeply ingrained is the sense of tune and rhythm in the mind and ear of the folk musicians, that they need nothing more than intuition and a highly trained ear to tune their instruments.

The desert comes alive when the performers take center stage. Except for the private ghoomar dance almost all others are public forms. Originally identified with particular tribes, regions or occasions, today these entertainments are widespread and the distinctions are blurring.

Rajasthan is best experienced by immersion and participation in its music and dance. Vibrant, vigorous, graceful, sinuous, plaintive, devotional and martial, it evokes the desert in all its variegated moods. It is a tribute to the spectacular beauty and the brutal harshness of the landscape; and to the hardiness and heroism of the people who live in this Land of Kings. http://www.india-rajasthan-tours.com

Rajasthan folk music is also religious in significance. Ballads recount stories from Mahabharata and Ramayana, apart from singing the praise of various saints. Bhopas are singing priests of various deities and warrior saints. The Bhopas of Mataji wear costumes and masks and play the Mashak. Here too the music has a strong religious flavor and is sung in dedication to various deities. These songs are mostly heard in nightlong soirées. www.wondersofrajasthan.com

Dance is an expression of human emotion as much as music and it is found in almost limitless variations in Rajasthan.