Bringing Rajasthan's RHYTMNS to Life

At the first edition of the Jaigarh Heritage Festival, Chugge Khan brought the soul of Rajasthan alive, blending tradition and rhythm through his Manganiar roots.

- Neha Kirpal

The first edition of the two-day Jaigarh Heritage Festival, presented by the Vedanta Group in collaboration with His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, was an incredible celebration of India’s art, music, culture and heritage. With the theme #ArtInEveryHeart, the festival brought together traditional crafts, mesmerizing performances and meaningful conversations, creating a vibrant platform to honour the region’s rich heritage and foster sustainable community development. From soul-stirring performances to insightful conversations and immersive workshops, the festival offered attendees an unparalleled experience that honoured both the tangible and intangible heritage of Rajasthan.

Among the highlights at the festival was a khartal workshop by Rajasthani folk musician, Chugge Khan, who belongs to the Manganiar community of musical connoisseurs. In this exclusive interview, he spoke to us about the earliest influences in his musical journey and the role of music festivals in promoting regional music and culture.

How did your roots shape your music?