World Music From India With the Ancient Poets of Râjasthân

Learn about the musical traditions of the Manganiar of Western Rajasthan in the documentary “Of Sand and Stars.” Then hear in concert members of the Manganiar clan perform their sophisticated and extraordinary musical poetry with passion.

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Excerpt from the documentary “Of Sand and Stars”

Excerpt from the concert at Theatre de la Ville, Paris

Voices and chants of the ancient Manganiar poets of Rajasthan

This DVD contains a one-hour concert and the documentary “Of Sand and Stars”

This program presents the Manganiar, who are among the most sophisticated musicians of Western Rajasthan. While listening to their extraordinary voices, music and the poetry of the region this documentary travels the scattered villages of the Thar desert around the town of Jaisalmer.

The Manganiyars are a caste of musicians. For centuries their clans have recited poems to the stars and to their Rajastan princes. Their melodious chants are accompanied by the "kamanchiya" violin - invoking nature, the deities and love. The program presents historical information about each of the instruments used to accompany the traditional Manganiyar songs.

At the end of this documentary journey a festival gathers with hundreds of Manghaniyars and their families. An event rarely recorded on film before.
Directed by Marc Bissot and Didier Maertens

Also included on this disc is a Concert from Theatre de la Ville, Paris

This concert presents six members of the Manganiyar clan singing and performing ballads about the kings as well as Sufi poems written by the mystics. Even though they are classified as folk musicians, their traditional music is classical and is clearly part of the roots of Indian classical music. The combination of folk music and complex classical music makes their performance special.

Two of the performers - Sakar Khan Manganiar and Shri Lakha Khan Manganiar have received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists.
Directed by Isabelle Soulard and Marc Bissot

NTSC Wide Screen 16:9
©2002 Polygone Onze - All Rights Reserved
Total Running Time: 103 Minutes

For the world music enthusiast, discover the extraordinary music of Armenian, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan and Mauritania with this discounted set of five DVDs. Each DVD includes a documentary about the region and a 1-hour concert recorded at the Theatre de la Ville in Paris. These DVDs will give you a rich understanding of the music from each of these unique regions. While listening to the music discover the landscape, architecture, history and culture that has motivated these world class musicians. Click for more information about this collection.