Track Listing

1. Ninderli
2. Run Jun Yale
3. Hanji Mara Lalou Sa
4. Khanjari
5. Kalyo
6. Baba Ramdev
7. Birda
8. Anghuti
9. Barnawa
10. Rythms Mandir
11. Badila
12. Musafir

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1324154 in Music
• Released on: 1998-04-21
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
At first sight it's only desert and plains, but the north­west Indian state of Rajasthan bares artists, that are the holy carriers of the spirituall traditions. The respect and high regard to art, philosophy and spirituality of its history is reflected in the every day life of the people. In the centers of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer there are many temples, monuments and the very special atmosphere, in which art is expressed in every form. Muslimes and Hindus live peacefully side by side and often honour the same sacred objects ­ as for instant ­ the temple Baba Ramdev in Runeja. Both have the same entrance to the sanctuary, but interpret them differently. These interpretations are reflected in the music. While the moslem artists hold strongly to the classic model, the hindu gypsies have a playful way of expressing the mythological themes. Choreography, dance, puppetry, snake charming and fakir shows, make the musical presentation to a show of illusion and magic.

Hameed Khan, professional musician from Jaipur, initiated the band project MUSAFIR to present the music of Rajasthan to the rest of the world. After an experimental phase with multi cultural formations in Europe, the famous Tabla musician turned back to his original roots. The general freedom of the Rajasthani music and Hameed Khans knowledge, diktate the open performance and fusion of the Rajasthani folklore. Hammed Khan, who is constantly looking for new talents in Rajasthan, is named to be the great musicians of the "Gypsies of Rajasthan".

The presentation of the songs on this CD, take you on a musical journey through Rajasthan. The song "Baba Ramdev", for example, is dedicated to the holy Ramdev, who is worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus. The song "Musafir ­ The Trip" shows the difficulty of the nomad life as a gypsy trying to meet fellow countrymen.

As a live act ­ the music from MUSAFIR turns into a show of magic and illusions.

Amazon.com
The title comes from the supposition, since borne out by linguistic and DNA evidence, that the Roma, or Gypsies, originally migrated from northern India. Just why they left their homeland over a millennium ago to wander the face of the earth is not known. Musafir, who are often described as "proto-Gypsies," consist of singers, dancers, instrumentalists, fakirs, and Sapera snake charmers. They are led by Hammed Khan, a non-Roma tabla virtuoso. The music is Indian folk, with sinuous vocals, harmoniums, and flutes built over a framework of Khan's virile drumming. While it is possible to glimpse assorted Roma traditions in embryo, a lot has happened since the tribes embarked on their endless walkabout. It is probably best to avoid speculation and simply enjoy Musafir based on their own merits, which are considerable indeed. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

100% pure unadulterated rajasthani music
Well to everyone who seems to be interested in this album, this music is purely what you going to find in Rajasthani roots, I am basically from Rajasthan and listening to such a soulful, unadulterated, pure music certainly gives me that feeling of nostalgia which you can only get by actually being to that place.
My father actually had wet eyes when he heard this music.
This music reminds me of what Rajasthan was. The wars, the kingdoms of Marwar, the Palace of Udaipur, great kings like Maharana Pratap, the smell of dust in Haldighati which saw the most gallant warriors dying for the country......
Even if you don't belong to Rajasthan you would not be untouched by the music. I bet if the music does not gives you goosebumps with the stories attached to the music from the gypsies who sing it.

Mesmerizing Tabla and Vocals, Hypnotic Rhythms
This is an essential CD for anyone who loves Gypsy music ... Ethnically the origins of the gypsies throughout Europe have been traced to Rajasthan. This CD attests to the enormous debt we owe them. In 1999, I saw and heard this group in a live performance, I was hooked! The tabla beat immediately strikes a primordial response ... it gets the body swaying and soon the beat reaches the feet, I get up and find myself improvising dance steps. I fall under its magical spell ...

The unusual instruments which create this spell-binding sound are the tabla, a double headed drum played by both the right and left hands. The dhapari made of multiple strands of skin creating percussion. Khartal which are wooden clappers. Manjira tiny cymbals and gungura which are globe-like bells. Murali which is an ancient flute and the satara and alogoza which are double flutes where one is a drone and the other plays the melody ... these instruments create music similar to bag pipes at times. There are the sounds of a harmonium (half-way between an organ and accordeon) and the murchang, which is the jew's harp. The musicians express a passionate energy for life. They exert exert a joyful exuberance, their feelings are infectious and highly contagious. Words are inadequate to convey how the passionate vibrant music, the earthy raw sounds of traditonal instruments and the natural vocals intimately connect with the heart and soul of the listener. Thank you BEK for this gift. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Powerful yet gentle and soulful
The music of this album is everything the reviewers say it is and more...I can never fail to be awed by how something so powerful and propulsive can be so gentle and soulful at the same time...everytime I listen to the litling voices of the Banjaras (gypsies) my eyes well over...it reminds me of the times gone by...bringing back memories I never had...This music rises from the earth and burrows right into your heart...
A must buy!