Notes from the desert
26 Jan 2013 4:58 AM IST
Murra Lala Fafal, better known in the music circles as Moorala Marwada, is one of the best-known artistes from Kutch, Gujarat. He has performed across India marking out a place for himself with his signature bhajans.
He was recorded in 2006 by De Kulture, featured on two Kutch albums and was a part of the Shah Latif Bhitai poetry festival.
He also performed at the Kabir Festival. For those who are still oblivious — you might remember him from Coke Studio and the Kabir Project. Millennium Post caught up with the man ahead of his performance in town as part of a musical tour for the Blue Lotus Festival. Here are excerpts:
What inspired you to start singing?
I started singing when I was a seven-year-old with my uncle and father. They had a feeling that I would be a good singer. As a kid, I was taught how to sing by my uncle . I started out by playing the bells with them as a group.
Tell us a bit about the traditions in your family that got you to singing and that you have passed on to your children...
For the last 11 generations, it has been a tradition in our family that one person from each generation will devote his life to music and I hope that this tradition will go on forever even in our future generations.
I have six daughters, out of which three sing with me and I also teach the other children from my family. In Merwada Meghwals, music has been with us through many generations. My ancestors used to sing in temples at village gatherings, perform at jagrans where they sang all night. Mostly we sing devotional songs related to Meera, Kabir, Raidas (Meera’s Guru) in Gujarati, Kutchi and Sindhi. But now, we are also singing folk songs in Gujarati.
What plans for 2013?
This year already I have performed at Kabir Festival and the Jaipur Literature Festival and I am looking forward to perform at the Blue Lotus Festival. This year, I want to travel everywhere and sing to different audiences to promote this folk art and in the process, educate and enlighten people.
What expectations from the show in Delhi?
Today there are more people who are interested in our music and they try to understand our music, our culture and show respect towards the folk art forms. After every show, there is always a demand for encore which shows how audiences are evolving. I hope the same will happen in Delhi and people will be able to share my happiness by the means of my music.
DETAIL
At: Zorba, MG Road, Sultanpur
When: Today
Timings: 7 pm to 10 pm
Entry: Free
He was recorded in 2006 by De Kulture, featured on two Kutch albums and was a part of the Shah Latif Bhitai poetry festival.
He also performed at the Kabir Festival. For those who are still oblivious — you might remember him from Coke Studio and the Kabir Project. Millennium Post caught up with the man ahead of his performance in town as part of a musical tour for the Blue Lotus Festival. Here are excerpts:
What inspired you to start singing?
I started singing when I was a seven-year-old with my uncle and father. They had a feeling that I would be a good singer. As a kid, I was taught how to sing by my uncle . I started out by playing the bells with them as a group.
Tell us a bit about the traditions in your family that got you to singing and that you have passed on to your children...
For the last 11 generations, it has been a tradition in our family that one person from each generation will devote his life to music and I hope that this tradition will go on forever even in our future generations.
I have six daughters, out of which three sing with me and I also teach the other children from my family. In Merwada Meghwals, music has been with us through many generations. My ancestors used to sing in temples at village gatherings, perform at jagrans where they sang all night. Mostly we sing devotional songs related to Meera, Kabir, Raidas (Meera’s Guru) in Gujarati, Kutchi and Sindhi. But now, we are also singing folk songs in Gujarati.
What plans for 2013?
This year already I have performed at Kabir Festival and the Jaipur Literature Festival and I am looking forward to perform at the Blue Lotus Festival. This year, I want to travel everywhere and sing to different audiences to promote this folk art and in the process, educate and enlighten people.
What expectations from the show in Delhi?
Today there are more people who are interested in our music and they try to understand our music, our culture and show respect towards the folk art forms. After every show, there is always a demand for encore which shows how audiences are evolving. I hope the same will happen in Delhi and people will be able to share my happiness by the means of my music.
DETAIL
At: Zorba, MG Road, Sultanpur
When: Today
Timings: 7 pm to 10 pm
Entry: Free
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