The Manganiyar Seduction Performs at Ashtamudi Watergate Music Festival

Kollam: The opening ceremony of the Ashtamudi Watergate Music Festival featured a musical performance by The Manganiyar Seduction on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake.

Originating from the musical traditions of Rajasthan’s desert landscapes nearly two decades ago, The Manganiyar Seduction has travelled across the world, presenting the folk traditions of the Manganiyar community at international venues.

Created and directed by theatre director Roysten Abel, the production combines music, theatre and visual elements. Around 40 singers and instrumentalists from Rajasthan performed together, showcasing the musical traditions of the desert region.

The Manganiyar musicians are known for blending devotional and Sufi traditions. Their repertoire reflects a cultural landscape where Islamic spiritual poetry and Hindu devotional music coexist. The performance offered audiences an opportunity to experience these musical traditions.

The production has reportedly staged more than 700 performances at venues across countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Poland.

The performance at the Ashtamudi Watergate Music Festival added another chapter to the production’s journey, bringing together traditional folk music, spirituality and theatrical presentation for audiences in Kollam.

The festival, organised under the leadership of the Department of Culture, was inaugurated by Minister P. C. Vishnunath. Minister Bindhu Krishna presided over the function.

Mayor A. K. Hafees, District Panchayat President R. Latadevi, District Collector Anie Jula Thomas, Cultural Affairs Department Director Imbasekhar, Councillor Kuruvila Joseph, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Chairman G. Venugopal, Secretary N. V. Pradeep Kumar, Vice Chairman Hemanth Kumar, Chalachitra Akademi Chairman Raveendran, Cultural Welfare Fund Board Chairman M. Ranjith, Vice Chairman Alappuzha Ashraf, and other dignitaries attended the inaugural event.

The opening night brought the musical production to the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, giving audiences in Kollam an opportunity to experience Rajasthan’s folk music traditions through a theatrical presentation.