Rajasthani Music
The royal lands of Rajasthan reverberates with the the sounds of melodious music. The tales of legendary battles, heroic deeds and rich culture are sung through these fantastic folk songs. The music of Rajasthan is a source of entertainment and a way to wind out and have fun. It provides entertainment and is a relief from the mundane desert life of Rajasthan. The music of Rajasthan is has social and religious importance in the lives of Rajasthanis.
Folk Songs of Rajasthan
Rajasthani folk songs are generally ballads associated to the the heroic deeds or love stories. The religious and the devotional songs are called Bhajans which are sung for devotion of the deity. The accompaniment of the musical instruments like ektaaras and dholaks, just add to the melody of these songs. The communities of Rajasthan specialize in professional singing as dhadhis, the dholis, Mangamers, and Nats. Hindu prostitutes, Patras and Muslim prostitutes Kancharis are known for their musical and singing skills.

Musical Instruments of Rajasthan
Percussion Instruments
The traditional music of Rajasthan is best accompanied by the conventional musical instruments of Rajasthan. The most common instrument that one can find in the villages of the state is the Dhol. Dhol is an instrument that is made of goat skin and beaten with the hand on one hand and with a stick on the other. Dholka is a miniature of dhol ans is one of the most popular musical instrument in northern India.

More more type of drum is famous in Rajasthan called ektaara, which is played by the pujaris (priests) during poojas and bhajans (worship) The ektaara is a gourd over a the skin is stretched. Membrane of ektaara is beaten with a finger or a bamboo stick.

Mata are another musical instruments played by a pair of two musicians. It is an earthen ware pot with a skin stretched over the opening. The sides of the pot are struck with the right hand on which a ring a worn. This instrument can be accompanied with a dance performance also. Naupat, that comprises of two drums nagada – the male form of drum and jheel – the female form of drum, is played by the artists during marriage occasions.

During the festival of Holi, chang can be heard being played by one or a pair of musicians. The Khanzari is a small drum encircled with brass or iron bells and is conventionally played by the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan. Table, which is played throughout India, is also famous in Rajasthan.

Besides percussion instruments, another instruments as stringed and wind instruments are also popular in the state. Rawanahattha, kamaycha, sarangi, Sindhi sarangi, Gujaratan sarangi, Jogiya sarangi, srimandal, mandrasa, dilruba, tandura are some of the famous stringed instruments. The wind instruments of Rajasthan include mahsak, surnai, narh, satara, poongi, murli, bankiya and morchang.