Tracks like “Baras Baras” and “Kanudo Ni Jaane” delve into devotional and mythological themes, weaving spiritual house music with stories of rain gods and Radha-Krishna’s playful love
Indian house music producer Hamza Rahimtula and the Rajasthan Folkstars released Origins, a 10-track album that seamlessly blends the pulsating rhythms of house music with the rich textures of Rajasthani folk traditions. This collaboration, over a decade in the making, marks a significant milestone in India’s electronic music scene, celebrating cross-cultural musicality and deep-rooted traditions.
The Rajasthan Folkstars, hailing from the Manganiyar community—often referred to as the living archives of the Thar Desert—bring centuries-old ballads and devotional songs to the project. Their mastery of traditional instruments like the khartal, bhapang, sarangi, algoza flute, and morchang adds a profound depth to the album’s soundscape.
Origins opens with “Earth,” a percussive tribute to nature, where Afro-tribal rhythms intertwine with emotive synths, evoking reverence and awe. “Sky” follows, featuring majestic sarangi lines that soar over a driving groove, capturing the spirit of poetic folklore with dancefloor precision.
A standout track, “Algoza,” showcases the twin flute’s melodic phrasing, complemented by a Nelson Mandela vocal sample that reinforces the theme of deep listening. In “Morchang Love,” Rahimtula highlights his favorite instrument—the ancient jaw harp—whose primal, acid-like resonance creates a hypnotic call-and-response with vocal textures.
Tracks like “Baras Baras” and “Kanudo Ni Jaane” delve into devotional and mythological themes, weaving spiritual house music with stories of rain gods and Radha-Krishna’s playful love. The former replaces vocals with the sarangi to echo a prayer-like yearning, while the latter draws from Brazilian rhythmic structures to bring a light-hearted touch to the album.
“Gypsy Trail” traces the historic journey of Rajasthan’s musicians across continents, blending bhapang and flamenco to pay homage to their cultural imprint in Spain. The album concludes with “Lavar Jivida,” a tender Sufi metaphor of eternal love, set against an uplifting Afro-Latin groove that brings emotional resolution to the record’s sonic arc.
Rahimtula’s collaboration with the Rajasthan Folkstars was born out of years of touring together, performing at stages including the Festival Les Escales in France and the Echoes of Earth festival in Bengaluru. Reflecting on the journey, Rahimtula shared, “It’s taken more than 10 years to make this album and we’ve always had a vision of using the indigenous sounds of Rajasthan… and finally our dream has come true” .
Origins is more than just an album; it’s a testament to the timeless power of music to connect cultures, bridging genres and generations. By elevating traditional sounds for contemporary audiences, Rahimtula and the Rajasthan Folkstars have created a sonic journey that resonates deeply with listeners worldwide.
Tracklist:
1.Earth
2.Sky
3.Algoza
4.Morchang Love
5.Ishq Laga Mainu
6.Kanudo Ni Jaane
7.Baras Baras
8.Ghumar
9.Gypsy Trail
10.Lavar Jivida
