Aspirant Academy
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RAS question

Consider the following statements about the Manganiyar and Langa musicians of Rajasthan: 1. Manganiyars primarily serve Hindu Rajput patrons while Langas serve Muslim Sindhi-Sipahi patrons. 2. Kamayacha is the signature instrument of the Manganiyars while Sindhi Sarangi is associated with the Langas. 3. Both communities are predominantly found in the Jaisalmer-Barmer region. Which of the above is/are correct?

Correct answer: (C) 1, 2, and 3.

Manganiyars are Muslim hereditary musicians linked with Hindu Rajput patrons and the Kamayacha, while Langas are patronised by Sindhi-Sipahi Muslim Rajputs and identified with the Sindhi Sarangi; both are associated with the Barmer-Jaisalmer Thar region.

  1. (A)

    1 only

  2. (B)

    2 and 3 only

  3. (C)

    1, 2, and 3

  4. (D)

    1 and 2 only

Explanation

All three statements are correct because the question tests the paired identities of two closely related western Rajasthan music communities. The New Indian Express says Manganiyars, though Muslim, sing songs drawn from Hindu traditions and perform festive songs at their Rajput jajman's house, which supports the Hindu Rajput patronage link. A Kamayacha player learnt the instrument from Ustad Sakar Khan and ran a Kamayacha school in a Jaisalmer village. Langas are patronised by Sindhi-Sipahis, described as Muslim Rajputs, and are identified with the Sindhi Sarangi. Both communities belong to the Thar Desert belt around Barmer-Jaisalmer.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) It accepts the patronage distinction but wrongly drops the equally correct instrument and Barmer-Jaisalmer Thar-region statements.
  • (B) It recognises the Kamayacha-Sindhi Sarangi pairing and the shared Thar-region location, but wrongly omits the patronage distinction between Rajput and Sindhi-Sipahi jajmans.
  • (D) It includes the patronage and instrument statements but wrongly excludes the correct statement that both communities are associated with the Jaisalmer-Barmer Thar belt.

Concept

This tests Rajasthan's folk-music communities through patronage networks, instruments and regional location. RAS repeats this area because Manganiyar-Langa questions combine art and culture with the social history of the Thar Desert.

Source

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