The
Langas and Manganiarsare groups of hereditary
professional musicians, whose music has been supported
by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations.
Both sing in the same dialect, but their styles and
repertoires differ, shaped by the tastes of their
patrons. The monarchs of the courts of Rajput and Jaipur
maintained large music and dance troupes an in an
environment where the arts were allowed to flourish.
Though both communities are made up of Muslim musicians,
many of their songs are in praise of Hindu deities and
celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. The
Manganiar performs traditionally invoke the Hindu god
Krishna and seek his blessings before beginning their
recital. At one time, the Manganiars were musicians of
the Rajput courts, accompanying their chiefs to war and
providing them with entertainment before and after the
battles and in the event of his death, would perform at
the ruler's vigil day and night until the mourning was
over