MUMBAI: The Merasis, a marginalised community of northwestern Rajasthan which has been corned as 'Mangniyars', meaning beggars carry a unique music legacy of over 800 years, an intangible cultural heritage as defined by the UNESCO. But, even today, they are considered as untouchable and are denied access to education, healthcare and political representation.

"We have to beg for our basic necessities, if we want to eat food anywhere, we have to carry our own vessels along with us, otherwise no food is given to us," said Akram Khan, who is one, of the Merasi group and who drives an auto in Jaisalmer, where he picks up and drops nearly 63 kids to school every day.

Their community is supported by a community hub called Lok Kala Sagar Sanstha (LKSS), which was registered in Jaisalmer in 1996 and Sarwar Khan is the director of it. It basically serves as a community centre for the marginalised Merasi.

Hanover Wadia who is the representative of LKSS for Mumbai spoke about the problems faced by these communities because of the upper castes, “They belong to a region where the scenario is dominated by the upper caste communities, and these people are not even given basic facilities like education. Merasis have to go to their patrons, whenever they are called, and these patrons make them perform for hours and in return give them whatever they want to give. These can be a bag of grains, Rs. 50 or any other thing that they wish.”

To carry such a big initiative is indeed a task, and it becomes much worst when it comes to source finance to carry out the activities of the NGO. “Most of the financing comes from abroad, there is a lady called Karen Lukas who has been connected with us from a long time and helps us in funding,” explained Hanover.

“Indian people normally not shown much interest in financing such things, maybe they do not know about the Merasis, but our country should come forward and encourage our home talent,” voiced Wadia.

The show that Merasi people did in Mumbai during their recent visit was a treat to watch. Right from the starting of the show when the singers started with Kanha song to the soulful Channa Mereya with which they put a full stop to their performance, kept the audience intrigued throughout.

They also made the audience dance, with their Bollywood numbers like Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, Nimbooda Nimbooda, Tharki Chokro, Om Shanti Om, Tharki Chokro and many of such other songs.

All in all, the performers graced the evening with their mesmerising performances and made it a very special one to all the audience present.

The Merasi Music Group who were on their sixth tour to Mumbai, have been doing a lot of shows in India as well as in foreign countries. They certainly deserve the acknowledgement of the people, who should really come forward, support and encourage our home talent.