It’s my dream to work with Rahman: Mame Khan

The Rajasthani artiste says folk music is garnering more interest nowadays; feels that Bollywood composers don’t give credit to the original singers when they use folk numbers

You know you are in for a treat when Mame Khan takes the stage for a live performance. The lead vocalist of popular folk band Manganiyar Seduction, Khan has play an important part in popularising folk music in India. As he prepares to perform at Mumbai’s Ballard Estate Festival, powered by Hindustan Times and organised by Ferriswheel Entertainment on February 27, we speak to the singer about his dream of working with ace Bollywood music composer AR Rahman, and more.

Do you think folk music is slowly gaining popularity

Yes, I would like to believe that. Today, the Indian audience is more aware about folk music. They are listening to this genre with keen interest, which is a good thing. Artistes like me are trying our best to take the genre ahead. Today, the audience is giving a positive response to not just Rajasthani folk music, but songs from other states as well. Since your father, Shri Rana Khan, was a well-known folk singer, did you feel any kind of pressure before becoming a musician? There was no fear in my mind. From the very beginning, I knew that I will be a musician one day. Of course, my father was a great singer. He wasn’t educated, but made a name for himself in music. I am carrying forward his legacy, and I think it’s a good thing for Rajasthani folk music.

How does the international audience respond to your music when you perform abroad?

The international audience responds very positively to our music. Music, at the end of the day, needs no language, and it has no barriers. We get a good response from people abroad, despite performing in Marwari — a language they don’t understand. Whenever we have played internationally, the audience has sung along with us. What can be a greater response than that.

Are there any Bollywood music composer that you would like

I wish to work with AR Rahman; it’s been my dream. I would also like to work with Pritam sir. Our music industry is filled with great composers, so I would like to work with most of them.

Would you say there is enough representation of folk music in the Bollywood songs today?

Bollywood composers often use Rajasthani music for their songs. The problem is that the folk singers aren’t credited for their music. That is needed. Several songs, like ‘Nimbuda nimbuda’ and ‘Ude re gulaal’, have been used in films. It would have been nice had these songs been sung by the original folk singers, and been given credit for them.

Rukmini Chopra

■ Rukmini.chopra@hindustantimes.com The international audience responds very positively to our music. Music at the end of the day needs no language,

and it has no barriers.

— Mame Khan, singer