ICFAI Rajasthan Nite

The Alpha Foundation, in association with Swaranjali, is organising the ICFAI Rajasthan Nite, on 14th November, at V V Function Hall in Jambagh, Koti. The famous folk music and dance troupe from Rajasthan, the Bhutte Khan Manganiar Group, will be performing.

The Bhutte Khan Manganiar Group is a 12-person music and dance group led by Bhutte Khan Manganiar. The group is based at Kota in Rajasthan. Bhutte Khan has been performing Rajasthani folk music and dance for over 20 years - carrying on a tradition that has been in his family for generations. The group has performed in many locations in India and abroad.

Known for their own style of music called the Langa Manganiar folk music, the artists come from the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. They are muslims by religion, but Hindu residents of this region have long patronized their talent. Their folk songs and dances are presented on various religious, social and traditional occasions.

Theirs is a specific singing style of folk songs, with use of several different instruments including the kamaycha (a bowed flute), dholak (drum), khartal (an instrument made of four wooden sticks), sarangi, shehnai, flute, morchang (harp), sitar, manjira (hand cymbal) and matka (pitcher).

The Langa songs are full of emotions, sympathy, love, fraternity, morality and spiritualism. These songs and hymns are presentations of social relations, convention, festivals and beliefs. Representations of the swan, flamingo, peacock, parrot and chakwa-chakwi (large orange-brown duck) are used to show the joy and sorrow.

The Alpha Foundation, a registered charitable trust established by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), has been working for the upliftment of the under-privileged population, especially children, in urban slums and rural areas through a holistic approach combining quality English medium education, nutrition, healthcare services, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, vocational training and employment opportunities.

The foundation also provides an opportunity to performing artists to showcase their talents in classical/folk music and dance through the ICFAI Music and Dance Festivals. The Foundation has plans to provide such opportunities at district, block and village levels too to revive the dying arts of India.

Please contact Prakash K Rath at 99480-85054 or Praveen Kumar at 99121-11205 or Jaywant Naidu at 98480-59020 for further details.