The era of the Maharajas was a time of bejeweled kings, opulent palaces filled with the finest art, and a rich cultural tradition of Rajasthan- the land of the kings. The DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan take us back to these times, recreating the experiences of the public spectacle of palace life. These are ancient melodies that were handed down to DHOAD’s musical director, Rahis Bharti, over several generations from his courtier-musician ancestors, who would sing in the presence of Maharajas at public events like births and marriages and religious ceremonies, or just for entertainment. ‘Sona ra button Banna’ celebrates the birth of a prince; ‘Dhanra Saheba ji,’ the arrival of the wedding party, and ‘Janwariyo (Romantic Peacock)’ announcing the coming of the rainy season, a symbol of wealth and the return of a lover.
