Mame Khan in Dubai: I'd hoped to hear traditional Rajasthani folk songs!
I wanted to experience his Manganiyar music legacy, which spans 16 generations. As a fellow Rajasthani, I yearned to connect with my roots through his music but was disappointed.
It was a late afternoon in mid-May when I received a Platinumlist link to Mame Khan Live from a dear friend amid the many WhatsApp messages on a busy day. I was excited as this was the first time a Rajasthani folk artist performed a concert in Dubai.
Recently, regional music has taken Bollywood by storm, with genres like Rajasthani music, Baul, and Bhojpuri Punjabi adding a unique flavor to new scores. So when I saw that the latest musical sensation from Rajasthan was going to perform live in Dubai, I didn't want to miss it.
The show was on 19th May at the Zabeel Theatre in the Zabeel Saray Hotel. On that day, with my whole family in tow, I sat in my designated seat in the large, beautiful auditorium. Mame Khan began the concert with an alaap, setting the stage for what we hoped would be a lovely night. He entered wearing a black costume, a colorful gold jacket, a topi, and sunglasses — a look that reminded me of Mika Singh. From the first song, Mame encouraged the crowd to sing along for most of the performance, which disrupted the flow of the music and the show. While it's common for singers to involve the audience in a live show, it's usually done for one or two songs, not throughout the entire concert.
Another point of contention was his song selection. Apart from his popular Bollywood tracks, he mainly sang Sufi songs like "Aafreen" with a Rajasthani accent, which didn't resonate with me. I had hoped to hear traditional Rajasthani folk songs. Moreover, his attempts to communicate with the crowd in English felt forced. His songs were a fusion of Western and Indian music, but I wanted to experience his Manganiyar music legacy, which spans 16 generations. As a fellow Rajasthani, I yearned to connect with my roots through his music but was disappointed.
Despite these critiques, there was much to celebrate. The singing was top-notch, the guitarist was outstanding, and the other musicians, mainly the Khartal player, were excellent. The concert concluded with a brilliantly executed jugalbandi involving all the troupe musicians.
This experience taught me that artists need to stay true to their authentic selves. Audiences come to see them because they appreciate their unique craft, not to witness a diluted version of someone else.
Authored by Rashmi Kotriwala
Rashmi Kotriwala is a well-known name in the UAE’s performing arts circle. Over the last 12 years, she has directed several award-winning plays and acted in and produced plays, festivals, and entertainment events in Dubai, Doha, and India. She teaches drama at her platform, EnAct. She also co-founded a popular community theatre space in Dubai.
Comments