Musafir

Musafir is a Rajasthani folk group from Rajasthan, active since 1995. The name means “wanderer”, which suits the ensemble’s focus on itinerant life, desert traditions and performance. The group is led by Hameed Khan “Kawa”, a tabla player from a musical lineage, and brings together musicians, dancers and traditions from across Rajasthan.

Style and repertoire

The group performs Rajasthani folk and dance with elements of classical music. Its line-up draws on different communities and musical roles from Rajasthan, including Langas and Manghanyar, who are known for singing ancient songs from the Thar Desert and playing instruments such as the sarangi, kartals, murchang, harmonium, dholak and tabla. The ensemble also presents devotional and spiritual material, and its stage work includes visual performance traditions associated with fakirs, fire-eaters, snake charmers and Kalbelya dancers.

Hameed Khan “Kawa”

Hameed Khan “Kawa” leads the project and shapes its repertoire from his experiences in India and abroad. He collaborates across a wide range of styles and backgrounds, having performed with artists including The Trio Erik Marchand, Narendra Bataju, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Lakshmi Shankar, Chico Bouchiki, Najat Aatabou, Natacha Atlas, Henri Texier, Lo’Jo, Thierry Robin and Henri Agnel, as well as dancer Carolyn Carlson and Gulabi Sapera. He also creates projects including Jaipur Kawa Brass Band.

Music and influences

Musafir presents its music as a blend of Gypsy, Hindu, Persian and Moghol cultural elements. Its sound is described as intricate and rhythm-driven, with some material close to qawwali. The group also dedicates a composition, “Ali Mullah”, to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Performance history

The ensemble has seven artists and has carried its repertoire through performances at major concert venues and international events around the world. It is presented as a continuing project rooted in the folk traditions of the Thar Desert while expanding them through cross-cultural collaboration.