Two Rajasthani Folk Musicians Win National Padma Shri

Two folk musicians from Rajasthan received India's Padma Shri award this week, celebrating lifetimes spent mastering instruments most people have never heard of.

Gafruddin Mewati Jogi, 68, plays the bhapang, a percussion instrument known as the "talking drum." Made from a hollowed pumpkin shell covered with goatskin, it creates rhythms that seem to speak. He learned the craft from his father six decades ago, performing alongside him at temples and community gatherings across their region.

Taga Ram Bheel, in his early 60s, plays the algoza, a double bamboo flute that works like a bagpipe. One flute drones continuously while the other dances through melodies. He taught himself by stealing his father's algoza as a child, buying his first instrument at age 11 and giving his first stage performance at 18.

Both artists come from communities where music passes from generation to generation like precious family heirlooms. Gafruddin belongs to the Mewati Jogi community and is the last surviving performer who knows all 2,500 verses of a folk version of the Mahabharata. His family bridges faiths, singing Hindu devotional songs while practicing Islam.

Taga Ram spent 30 years performing in the forests of Ranthambore and now crafts high-quality algozas that musicians worldwide seek out. He also mines for a living, balancing ancient art with modern necessity.

The Ripple Effect

These awards shine a spotlight on India's unsung cultural heroes. Both musicians have performed across 15 countries, introducing audiences in France, Japan, Russia, and the United States to sounds many had never imagined existed. They've conducted workshops, mentored younger artists, and proven that traditional folk music can captivate modern global audiences.

Gafruddin received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award last year and has performed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taga Ram has been a fixture at Rajasthan's Desert Festival since 1981 and regularly features on All India Radio.

Their recognition sends a powerful message: the keepers of disappearing art forms matter. Every performance they give, every workshop they teach, and every instrument they craft helps ensure these sounds won't vanish when they're gone.

Two men from small towns, playing instruments made from pumpkins and bamboo, now stand among India's nationally honored artists — proof that dedication to your craft can echo far beyond your village.