The Manganiyar seduction was first created for the Osians to open the film festival in delhi . The success of the show got the show on the road and is on it’s European tour in July. This project allowed roysten to collaborate with the Manganiyar musicians for the first time. The concept creates a dazzling union between the Manganiyar’s music and the visual seduction of Amsterdam ’s red light district. The sets are a combination of the Hawa Mahal and the Red light district of Amsterdam. It can also be compared to a magic box. 43 musicians are seated in 36 red-curtained cubicles arranged in four horizontal rows one on top of the other; and the concert begins when a single cubicle lights up and the first singer begins his song. Soon another cubicle lights up and then another thus creating a dramatic and astounding build-up of musical instruments and voice as young men, women, children and the elderly of the Manganiyar community take you into a world which is even beyond yours or their own. The Normal practise is to take and use music for theatre but here Roysten reverses the process and uses theatre to create magic in music.

About the Manganiyars

      The Manganiyars are a caste of musicians who traditionally performed for the kings of Rajasthan in India . Over the years their patrons have shifted from the kings to a person who could give them a meal. They sing ballads about the kings and also Sufi poems written by the mystics. They also have songs for various occasions like birth, marriage, feasts etc. Even though they are classified as folk musicians their traditional music is classical and it clearly indicates the roots of classical music in India . However the rawness of the folk and the complexness of classical music is what makes their music so special. They live in the deserts of Rajasthan and their style of singing is very similar to that of the Spanish Flamenco singers.

The Variety of Musicians

Vocalists (young men, old men, children and ladies)

Harmoniums- an Indian Instrument similar to the European accordion

Dholak- an Indian drum

Karthal- an Indian percussion instrument similar to the Spanish castanas

Kamancha- Indian equivalent to European cello

Sarangi- an Indian string instrument played like a violin

Bansuri-Traditional Indian Flute

Murli- A snake charmer’s flute that sounds like a bagpipe

Morchang- mouth harp

Dhol- the main Indian base drum