Recently, Jaipur witnessed a unique evening of musical collaborations as Kashmiri artistes joined hands with Rajasthan’s Manganiyar musicians to create some unforgettable moments. Kashmiri singer Aabha Hanjura, along with renowned Manganiyar artistes Bhutta Khan, Ikhlas Khan and Sawai Khan, presented a mesmerising fusion of Kashmiri and Rajasthani folk traditions, leaving Jaipur’s music lovers spellbound. Blending the soulful sounds of the Kashmiri rabab with the rhythmic beats of the Rajasthani khartaal, the performance cast a mesmerising spell over the audience. Aabha Hanjura’s Indian Folk Collective presented a rich tapestry of Sufi, Bhakti and Indian folk fusion music.She opened the evening with a traditional Kashmiri wedding song, setting the tone for an immersive musical journey. Her original compositions in Kashmiri and Punjabi, infused with a touch of Rajasthani flavour, offered a refreshing blend of traditions. Kashmiri artiste Rashid Khan’s evocative rabab complemented the vibrant accompaniment of Manganiyar musicians Bhutta Khan, Ikhlas Khan and Sawai Khan on the harmonium and khartaal, resulting in an innovative and captivating fusion of folk sounds.
Later, Aabha shared, “I was thrilled to present my Sufi and folk fusion set with my band in Jaipur. We got an amazing response from the audience and had the whole crowd singing and dancing with us. I’m taking back beautiful musical memories from Jaipur and my heart is full. It’s an amalgamation of different cultures and I am thrilled to work with Rajasthani artistes. We worked together during a residency in January and finally presented our music here, which is breaking cultural barriers. What fascinates me about Rajasthan is its vibrant live music and rich culture. Thankfully, this collaboration allowed me to explore it more closely.”She even presented famous Bollywood numbers like Sanu Ek Pal Chain, Chadariya Jhini Re Jhini, her famous song Hukus Bukus, and popular song Dama Dam Mast Qalandar. Celebrating wedding traditions, she also performed her latest composition, O Re Sakhi, which was warmly received by the audience. “With O Re Sakhi, it’s my effort to bring Rajasthan and Kashmir together through music. It’s a very special song,” she said.
