Govind Singh Bhati and Sharon Genevive are on a mission to revive Rajasthan’s folk musical heritage. Through their one of a kind initiative, Lok Sangeet Shala, they empower young artists from folk communities to learn and celebrate their cultural identity.

Many traditional Rajasthani instruments, like the ghuraliya, face extinction. As older generations pass away, younger ones have no formal means to learn these arts. This cultural gap is exactly what the couple aims to address.

Govind grew up with Rajasthani folk music all around him. “My father loved playing the morchang (jaw harp) and alghoza (a pair of joined beak flutes),” Bhati recalls. His early experiences shaped his understanding of the connection between folk music and the people of Rajasthan.

In 2008-09, Bhati took the leap to become an independent arts manager, working with institutions like the Mehrangarh Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation. His goal was to create platforms for folk artists to showcase their talent and ensure the survival of Rajasthani music traditions.

In 2014, Bhati and his wife, Sharon Genevive launched BlueCity Walls, an initiative to organise shows and cultural tours in Jodhpur. Their efforts employed local residents and highlighted the beauty of Rajasthani folk art, but they soon realised the younger generation lacked a way to learn these traditions.

With the fading interest in traditional music, Bhati and Sharon recognised the need for a program that would teach young people the essence of folk music and provide them with the tools to keep it alive.

To bring young voices into the spotlight, Bhati formed Raitila Rajasthan, a band of young musicians. They trained for months, resulting in their debut song Mehman, composed by Bhati. The track went viral after being featured in the second season of Netflix's Mismatched, bringing Rajasthani folk music to a wider audience.

The success of Mehman on Netflix gave Bhati and Sharon the chance to challenge perceptions about folk artists. Their goal is to make sure that folk musicians are valued and compensated just like their classical counterparts.

In 2023, Bhati and Sharon launched Lok Sangeet Shala, a residency program that gives young folk artists from across Rajasthan the opportunity to learn directly from master artists. This initiative is groundbreaking as there’s no formal structure for folk music education in India—traditionally passed down orally through generations.

The residency spans seven days and includes nine classes on instruments like kamaicha, murli, and tandura. They work with three folk music communities—Langa, Meghwal, and Manganiyars. The program also fosters collaboration among different groups, helping bridge traditional divides and creating a shared space for growth.

The residency has provided a platform for women to reclaim their place in the music world. Bhati recalls working with Ganga and her daughter Sundar, both from a musical family. Ganga, once too shy to perform outside her home, is now singing confidently at shows.

Bhati and Sharon’s efforts continue to expand. “It will only take a few properly trained and passionate young people to revive the rich music of Rajasthan,” Bhati assures. With the program growing and more young people joining the movement, the future of Rajasthani folk music looks promising.