Lakha Khan


Lakha Khan Mangniyar is an Indian folk musician, sarangi player, and vocalist from Rajasthan. He is widely regarded as one of the last remaining masters of the Sindhi sarangi, an instrument intrinsic to the musical traditions of the Manganiyar community. Khan has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Rajasthani folk and Sufi music at both national and international levels.

Early life and training

Lakha Khan was born in the village of Raneri in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, into a family of traditional Manganiyar musicians. He began learning music at a young age, initially studying vocal traditions before training in the Sindhi sarangi. By the age of 12, he had started performing publicly.

Career

Khan’s early career was shaped by the influence of ethnomusicologist Komal Kothari, under whose mentorship he gained opportunities to perform across India. He later toured internationally, introducing the Sindhi sarangi and Rajasthani folk repertoire to audiences in over 40 countries, including the United States, Japan, Russia, and various parts of Europe.
After a brief hiatus from international touring, Khan resumed global performances in the 2010s with Amarrass Records. He played at prestigious platforms such as WOMEX in Finland and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark.
Khan’s repertoire spans Rajasthani folk music, devotional bhajans, and Sufi music, often performed in multiple languages such as Marwari, Sindhi, Hindi, and Punjabi. His music is noted for its intricate melodies and deeply spiritual undertones. He frequently collaborates with his son, Dane Khan, who accompanies him on the dholak.

Awards

Lakha Khan has been honored with several national and state-level awards for his contributions to traditional music.