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Rhythms of Transition
Research Project on the Langa Musicians
of Rajasthan
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Langas are a hereditary community of musicians from Western Rajasthan, primarily based in the districts of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. Renowned for their immense talent, their musical artistry has gained international acclaim, with performances on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
For generations, the Langas have sustained themselves as musicians, relying on their traditional roles. However, with the decline of patronage systems and the challenges posed by a neoliberal economy, their opportunities and access to resources have diminished significantly, posing hardships in sustaining their art and livelihood.
Over the past three decades, significant efforts by individuals and organizations have opened up new performance platforms and income opportunities for the Langas. Combined with earnings from the tourism industry, these developments offered a renewed sense of hope for sustaining their art and livelihood.
However, factors such as limited access to education, poor financial management, the impact of COVID-19, and growing competition have made it increasingly difficult for many Langas to generate a stable and reliable income through music.
OUR METHODS
This project seeks to support and nurture sustainable livelihoods for the Langa community through community-driven initiatives, grounded in ethnographic research and participatory action research (PAR). The work is already in progress—we have organized research concerts, conducted interviews with both senior and emerging Langa artists, and are actively planning and implementing further interventions.
