‘Jadd jodti hai, todti nahi,’ says Mame Khan, an artist reviving Rajasthan’s folk legacy on a global stage

Read edited excerpts below.

Q. You were born into a musical family. How were your early years?

Mame Khan: For us, music was everything, we didn’t have any other option but to pursue music. While other kids played with bats, balls, or toys, we had our instruments. Music was everywhere. We belong to the Manganiyar community of musicians from Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Nagore in Rajasthan. I feel very lucky to have been born to my father, Ustad Rana Khan. It was a blessing, a divine gift from Saraswati Maa.

Q. Rajasthan is known for its diverse landscapes—villages, dunes, lakes. Has the landscape influenced your music?

Mame Khan: Absolutely! Rajasthan’s culture is incredibly diverse and colorful, and this is reflected in our songs. Our music draws inspiration from baarish (rain), pakshi (birds), and veer yodha (brave warriors). It’s not just in the songs but also in our dressing, food, and architecture. For example, my song Saawan is based on the Luni river. The lyrics talk about a wife waiting for her husband in the monsoon—it’s full of emotion and longing.

Walking the Cannes red carpet alongside legends like A R Rahman, Prasoon Joshi, and Aishwarya Rai was a huge achievement, said Khan.

Q. How did it feel to be the first Indian folk artist to walk the Cannes red carpet?

Mame Khan: It was an incredible experience. I feel very lucky. I owe it to my elders for preserving our culture and music, keeping it alive through tough times. Earlier, there were no recorders, CDs, or the internet—everything was passed down orally. Walking the Cannes red carpet alongside legends like A R Rahman, Prasoon Joshi, and Aishwarya Rai was a huge achievement.

I even promoted Indian culture there. An American newspaper wrote about my traditional attire—a safa (turban), embroidered kurta, and jacket from Kanpur. It felt like a moment of pride.

Q. What do you think about modern trends in music, like slowed-down or fast-paced remixes? How do you keep folk music relevant today?

Mame Khan: People used to call folk music a dying art, and honestly, I felt slightly agitated hearing that. Folk music is the mother of all music. Since that day, I vowed never to let people think it’s dying. Today, I’m happy to see the renewed enthusiasm for it. Folk music has a bright future.

To stay relevant, musicians do make changes while keeping the essence intact. It is necessary. We need to engage all audiences, young and old. Songs like Laal Peeli, Bole Toh Mitho Laage, and Chaudhary resonate a lot with today’s youth.

Q. If you could jam with any musician, alive or a legend, who would it be?

Mame Khan: If the music is good, I’m open to working with anyone. I always dreamt of playing with Ustad Zakir Hussain. We met several times and even played together once. His passing is a big loss.

I’ve collaborated with big names like Shankar Mahadevan, A R Rahman, and Vishal Bhardwaj. But in music, I believe there shouldn’t be limits. If you set a target and achieve it, where do you go from there? Music is infinite, it has no end. That said, I’d love to jam with Diljit Dosanjh someday. He’s doing great work, and I admire his energy.

Q. How was your event with HCL Concerts – Tunes of Traditions on December 13?

Mame Khan: Oh my God, that concert was amazing, super good! The vibe was incredible, and the audience was absolutely amazing.

Q. What is your message to the younger generation?

Mame Khan: Stick to your roots. Jadd jodti hai, todti nahi (roots unite, not break). Folk music is from people, for people. It connects us to our heritage and carries immense depth.