Ra-Ra-Rajasthan

The first part of my extended world work and pleasure tour has now been completed. Over the last couple of weeks I have been in Mumbai, Udaipur in Rajasthan, Dubai for an evening due to my direct flight home being cancelled, and finally Brussels. If anyone is interested I have put some photos of the first three up on Flickr.

I enjoyed them all in their different ways but the highlight undoubtedly was Udaipur, the City of Lakes, with a little side trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort whose 36km walls are apparently the second longest continuous wall in the world after that Chinese one whose name escapes me. I would love to go back and see more of Rajasthan if I get the chance.

The local cuisine is excellent - I became a bit addicted to laal maas, mutton in a spicy gravy - as is the culture. My previous post featured some of the fine likenesses in the local wax museum, and now it is the turn of the music.

Tucked away in the heart of Hathipole market in Udaipur is a small store that sells discs loaded up with mp3s of Rajasthani music and Bollywood hits. I can't remember its name and could not find it when I tried to pay a second visit. Maybe it only existed for one magical moment in time.

Among the discs I bought were Volumes 1 and 2 of a series highlighting the 'representative dance songs of Rajasthan' called 'Ghoomar', which is evidently a traditional dance of the Bhil people. They were put together in 2000 by Veena Music of Jaipur, whose vibrant YouTube channel I relied on to identify the names of the artists.

According to Veena Music "Mahino Phagan Ko" is the best Rajasthani Holi song. As Holi this year was on Thursday and Friday last week it seemed like an appropriate choice to kick things off. Belated best wishes to all those who celebrated. 

"Mahino Phagan Ko" - Manohar

"Kalyo Kood Pado Mele Me" - Seema Mishra

"Gorari Kar Solah Singar" - Mukesh Bagra

The next leg of the journey starts tomorrow evening when I fly to South Africa to see the local branches of the Goggins family. I get back at the end of March and after a quick turn around head off to Mauritius for work. I'm still not sure quite how I wangled that but I have added on a few days for sightseeing and hope to return with stacks of sega CDs to share with you. 

I will report in when I can but until then here is some more music from the Bill people.