Karim Khan Langa

Young Karim Khan playing the murli Courtesy of the Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology (ARCE)

Karim Khan playing the murli Courtesy of the Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology (ARCE)

Algoza - Double-flutes Courtesy of the Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology (ARCE)

Karim Khan playing the algoza Courtesy of the Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology (ARCE)

Karim Khan, who belongs to the village of Bandhewa in Jaisalmer District, is considered the most iconic musician of the Surnaiya Langas. He had various teachers, but learnt from his father and uncles. He belongs to the Mangaliya subcaste of the Surnaiya Langas and said that his family were originally Sindhi Sipahi until the time his father became a musician, a Langa, for reasons of poverty. Karim Khan has a very wide repertoire and is known for his ability to mix melodies and ragas, retaining the integrity of the piece he performs.