Contents: Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Ethnographic overview. 3. Musical contexts. 4. Music concepts and musical instruments. 5. Jaisalmer District. 6. Barmer District. 7. Jodhpur District. 8. The periphery. 9. Small times, big spaces. 10. Maps and additional tables. Appendices. References cited. Bibliography. Index.

"An atlas of one of the world's richest historical musical traditions, this book is a cartography and catalogue of musicians and music-making in the Western districts of Rajasthan State in contemporary India.

Based on extensive statistical and cultural data, it provides an ethnographic survey of musical traditions organized on the basis of specific communities of music specialists, their patrons and the music they produce. Much of the cultural context of Rajasthan's musical history is based on the epic songs of its bardic traditions. These traditions are very much alive today and now enjoy a new global audience extending far beyond Rajasthan's borders."