LAKHA KHAN

Lakha Khan, a living legend and the undisputed master of the sindhi sarangi, is a national treasure, and a National award winner for his contribution to Rajasthani folk music, and perhaps the greatest exponent of the 27-string sindhi sarangi. His music is truly secular and straddles both the classical and folk domains, with a vast songbook that incorporates Hindu bhajans (devotional songs), Sufi kalaams, popular Hindi tunes, and the ancient stories and oral histories of the region, spanning the western Indian sub-continent. He sings in over six languages including Hindi, Marwari, Sindhi, Punjabi and Multani. Bestowed with a powerful and melodious voice that perfectly compliments his instrument, Lakha Khan's music transcends boundaries and invokes a spiritual oneness in the listener. He is accompanied by his son Dane Khan on the dholak - the double headed Indian folk drum. Born in the village of Raneri in Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India into a family of traditional musicians from the Manganiyar community, he was trained at an early age in rendering the compositions of the Multan school of Manganiyars. His first public performances were in the late 60's and 70's in India, and under the guidance of the late ethnomusicologist Komal Kothari, toured Europe, UK, Russia and Japan through the 90's. He resumed international touring in 2013 with Amarrass organizing his first US tour, and has since made six international tours, and performed at notable festivals in India including Jodhpur RIFF, Mahindra Kabira Festival and more.