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A tour-escort of “Indian Moments” shares his experience....
When nothing speaks, the silence sings.
Desert has its own sounds; even its barrenness creates music.
I remember each time I stay in our specially created desert camps over the sand dunes near Jaisalmer with my tour groups, it is not only the sight of clear night-sky studded with million stars like broken glasses or the cool sands under me that mesmerizes me.
It is something to my ears that is completely strange- sound of absolutely nothing when even a slightest flutter is audible.
Suddenly it's a whiff of air which creates a sound, some insects in their sand burrows tweet, sound of burning wood, of camels chewing fodder and moreover the lilting sound of bells around their necks; these sounds must otherwise be present everywhere but only here I get to notice each so clearly.
Beats of Rajasthan
In the dark of the night the distant sound of drumbeats is a special effect.
Yes, drumbeat is a sound first, music later. Technically speaking, Rajasthani musical instruments are sound producing instruments.
Discovered as sound makers, created as melody makers. Khamaicha, ravanhathhthha, algoza, etc are extremely simple instruments.
Seldom I try to discover the source of drumbeat sound, I love just the way it transcends the distance. This beat makes people of Garasia tribe in Sirohi dance in groups.
This sound accompanies enthusiastic Hela Khyal night perfomers in Dausa when they make most hitting political comments through songs.
This sound may mark a simple wedlock under dim light of lamps in some village near Samode.
Or in Pushkar, this sets the rhythm for breathtaking acrobatics and sports in the most colorful human gathering with cattle in the world.
It signals the rehearsal of a practicing professional singer of Langa community in Barmer for next public performance.
Or an expression of festive frenzy of Holi in Mandawa when group of men dance dressed as women. It also goes along the most daredevil act of men in Bikaner walking comfortably barefoot on ambers!
Sounds and resultant frenzied actions in Rajasthan is an attitude part inherited, part discovered and part created. To me it sounds simple yet it sounds so soothingly different from telephone rings, motor horns and television!
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