Today on his death anniversary, we look back at the man who helped spread Rajasthani folk music across the whole world, Komal Kothari. 1/9 
To speak of Komal Kothari is to delve into the vast and wonderful world of Rajasthani Folk traditions. He placed Rajasthani folk culture in a distinctive ecological and geographical context based on factors like soil, climate, and crops. 2/9
The aim was to humanize the approach of studying the folk traditions rather than seeing them as objects of the exotic. 3/9
Fondly known as Komal Da, his passion for Rajasthani folk music and culture came to the fore when in 1953 he along with his close friend Vijay Dandetha started the magazine ‘Prerna’ which released a new folk song every month. 4/9
Komal Da went around the wild desert conducting surveys, documenting folk musicians, local caste structures, and rural life. His study of the ‘Langa’ and ‘Manganiyar’ communities gave them exposure and subsequent financial stability also. 5/9
In 1960 the Rupayan Sansthan was established by Komal Da and Dandetha. The Institute's primary objective was to research and study Rajasthani folk culture using varied tools like local narratives, epics, and songs. 6/9
In the years to come Komal da would collaborate with scholars from Sweden and France to organize archival recordings, conduct folk concerts, workshops, and seminars to spread knowledge and awareness. 7/9
Having received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhusan for his contribution to Indian music, it was his vision to have a dedicated home for Rajasthani culture that ultimately led to the formation of the Thar Desert Museum also known as the Arna Jharna. 8/9
Though he left us #OTD in 2004 Komal Da and his body of work continue to inspire us and many other people. 9/9
Sources: rajasthanstudio.com/komal-kothari-…, sahapedia.org, Cinema Vision India, Mumbai.
Padma Bhushan *
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
