Kalbelyia, musicians of Rajasthan

This is the first part of a bigger project in progress which aims to involve the gipsy community and their music from Rajasthan to Spain. Rajasthan, also known as the land of the Kings, famous for its medieval forts, maharaja palaces and colorful people diversity, is also the land of the Gypsies. Even if their history is blurred, is written on the Shahnameh (book of the kings, 1010) that it was Bahram Gur who asked for their musical skills to Shangul, king of India. Traditionally nomad people, they are in the last step of the Indian cast system. They are not allowed to live in the cities, they have no access to school and are condemned to use their traditional work skills to make coal, hunting cobras in villages or begging in the cities to sustain the family. But outside of Pushkar, there is a settlement since around 15 years ago now. Named like the gypsy tribe living here, The Kalbelyia, they have a school since October 2015 which is giving a hope that some of these kids will get out of this loop through education. The Kalbelyia dance and music is another way for gypsy women mostly but also men as musicians to scape from poverty through their culture.