He's determined to keep his art alive and evolving. In his quest to ensure this, the Rajasthani Manganiyar artist Rais Khan of Jaisalmer has travelled the world, performing with folk musicians and popstars from different countries and cultures. He's collaborated at home with the likes of AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi and Clinton Cerejo. He's taken up beatboxing, hip hop and rap. The Manganiyars are a community of hereditary Muslim artists who have traditionally sung in groups on social occasions such as births or weddings in the families of their patrons, who were typically upper-caste Hindus. Their songs are rendered through strident vocals and the heavy use of percussion. You can hear them perform at tourist sites and folk festivals across Rajasthan, as traditional patronage dwindles. Hence 35-year-old Khan's determination to make the art form relevant to its newest audiences. Take a look at the versatile artist in action.
