Breaking Traditions: Manganiyar Women Enter Public Music Performance

For decades, the Manganiyar community of Rajasthan, renowned for its hereditary musical tradition, restricted women to singing within the private homes of patrons. Men, meanwhile, toured nationally and internationally, gaining recognition for their folk music. This gender divide was enforced by rigid social norms that tied family honour to female invisibility. Pioneering this change was Rukma Bai, who in the early 2000s defied convention to perform publicly, despite facing ostracism and threats. Today, only three women, including Rukma Bai’s daughter-in-law Hanifa Bai and cousin Dariya Bai, have followed her path, performing at public concerts and festivals. These women learned music informally at home, imbibing songs from mothers and grandmothers, and maintain a style distinct from men’s, reflecting domestic and personal experiences. While their music has historically remained unseen, these performers are now forging collaborations with other musical traditions, asserting their place in the public cultural space. Their emergence also highlights socio-economic realities, as women often had to perform to support families, showing courage and resilience while preserving a rich cultural heritage. The story underscores the interplay of tradition, gender, and social change within Rajasthan’s musical communities.