WOMAD

Children of the Desert

From India

From the harsh desolation of Rajasthan's Thar Desert comes the joyful, soul stirring music and dance of the Langas and Manganiers. The driving rhythms of the 'dholak' and the extraordinarily virtuosic and complex clacking of the 'khadtal' (castanets) accompany ballad songs at festivals, weddings and childbirth in rich village traditions which have developed over the centuries to counter the long desert nights. Young 'kalbella' dancers in traditional mirror embroidery costumes perform to the unrestrained voices and spontaneous instrumental music. This group combines senior musicians with children whose energy and natural talent for their music assure a strong future for these traditions in the 21st century.Children of the Desert are presented in association with the Asian Music Circuit.June 2000