The hues of orange and red of the sunset as the backdrop along with devotional sounds of Meerabai make you wonder at the musical possibilities of the Meghwals. It seems like the sun is melting softly with their music and the purity that they sing with. At the recent Rajasthani International Folk Festival, the Meghwals from Marwar presented songs by the saints of Rajasthan.
Ajitha Ram, one of the singers, says that this is an age-old tradition and they are simply keeping it alive by performing at various festivals. “The actual tradition says that people call us on auspicious occasions like someone’s birth or wedding to sing. We also sing and wish well for the people who are setting out on a pilgrimage,” says Ram.
As a part of their tradition, the Meghwals are known across villages and impart education to the villagers of the basic human values and ways of living. Sant Ravidas whom the Meghwals revere and look up to was also known to be Meerabai’s guru. He came from the Chamar caste and was known for his struggle against the upper class Brahmins. One of the legendary stories is about how Ravidas taught an upper class Seth a lesson in life to not be greedy.
The story says that Ravidas asked Seth who was going to Haridwar to present the river Ganga a gold ring. The Seth didn’t understand how a river can accept a gold ring but nonetheless accepts Ravidas’s gift and presents it to the river. Ganga in turn sends a gold bangle back for Ravidas with Seth.
Ravidas asks Seth if Ganga sent any gift back to which the Seth denies and keeps the gold bangle for himself. In order to make him realise his mistake he shows the Seth a water body in his house, which was believed to be the river Ganga, and pulls out a bangle from it. The Seth realises his mistake and asks for forgiveness.
“Sant Ravidas has done a lot for our community and most of the bhajans that we sing preach his values and teachings,” says Ram. He says that the Meghwals pass on the tradition to their children and the learning begins at home.
They say that they never speak lies and honesty is one of the core teachings of Ravidas. “There is no room for cheating or lying and we live up to that sacred thought. The essence of the bhajans is in following the teaching in our daily lives and following them. The tradition is kept alive in its purest form and these bhajans go way back to the 15th and 16th century,” exclaims Ram.
The Meghwals are well known for their style of music and have travelled to different parts of the world to deliver performances. “We have been to America, London and many places across the world. People there love our music and genuinely appreciate it which is not the case in our own country,” says Ram.
“It is sad that even in Rajasthan till today we are not allowed to eat with the upper castes or perform any social activities. Education is known to empower minds and bring about a difference in the mentality of the people. The villages in the deep interiors of Rajasthan are very rigid about the hierarchy of castes and don’t recognise our talent which really makes us feel sad about our brethren,” rues Ram.
The Meghwals meditate through their music and become an instrument of communication to reach God. “Many people come to us saying that they have experienced divinity. I think it’s because of the purity with which we sing. There are no ill feelings towards anyone and we truly believe that work is worship,” says Ram as a matter of fact. He states that they don’t stylise the form in the age of commercialism, as money is not a luring factor.
“We are self-sufficient and that is what matters. All of us live in different villages and are a phone call away from each other. So if there is an invitation for some performance we call each other and gather at someone’s village for rehearsals,” says Ram.
They plan and prepare for their programmes much in advance. They believe in the simple way of life. The musical instruments that they play are worshipped and a small puja is conducted before the show. “We make our own instruments and rarely buy them. Music is sacred and one shouldn’t treat it art frivilously,” says Ram.
Considering they sing devotional songs, there is no space for their egos to come in between music. “Everyone is equally important and no one tries to over take each other during a performance. We all know how to sing and play different instruments and are aware of our strengths. It is all about treating each other equally and not taking for granted,” says Ram.