Rajasthani folk band Barmer Boys's lead singer Mangey Khan passes away at 49

Khan leaves behind his wife and three children, along with a legacy that has deeply influenced folk music enthusiasts across the country.

Mangey Khan, the esteemed lead vocalist of the renowned Rajasthani folk band Barmer Boys, has passed away at the age of 49. Fondly known as Manga, Khan was celebrated for his powerful voice and his significant contribution to Rajasthani folk music. He had recently undergone heart surgery and was in recovery when he tragically passed away.

Khan leaves behind his wife and three children, along with a legacy that has deeply influenced folk music enthusiasts across the country. His death marks a profound loss to the world of Indian folk music. Mangey Khan was the lead vocalist of the renowned Manganiyar trio, the Barmer Boys, who rose to fame with their captivating performance on Season 3 of Coke Studio on MTV India.

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Amarrass Records released a heartfelt statement in memory of Mangey Khan, honoring his legacy and contributions to Rajasthani folk music. The post read, ""With profound grief and an aching heart, we are sharing the tragic news of the sudden demise of Manga (Mangey Khan), the lead vocalist and the voice of Amarrass Records’ band, Barmer Boys."

The post continued, "Manga, as he was lovingly called, was one of the finest vocalists from the Manganiyar community, at the peak of his career and with decades of concerts, sold-out shows and loud applause ahead of him. His voice danced effortlessly at the high register that Manganiyar music demands. It was powerful but also sweet, like a birdsong. We will miss hearing it live, we will miss his smile, we will miss Manga, our friend."

The statement expressed deep sorrow over his passing and celebrated his immense talent, recognizing him as a vital force in the Manganiyar trio, the Barmer Boys. His loss was described as a significant blow to the world of music, and the statement conveyed the profound impact he had on both his listeners and the folk music community.

"He performed over 200 concerts in 20 countries, including some of the most prestigious festivals in the world - Roskilde (Denmark), Clockenflap (Hong Kong), Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada), Music Meeting (Netherlands), OFFest (Macedonia), Respect Festival (Prague), FMM Sines (Portugal), Festival de la Citè (Lassaune, Switzerland), Ziro Music Festival (India) to name a few, " the post concluded by highlighting Mangey Khan's extensive and successful career over the years, reflecting on his immense popularity and the lasting impact he had on the world of Rajasthani folk music.

Quickly fans flooded the comment section with condolences for the singer's demise. One user wrote "Heart breaking. Peace to the soul"

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While another user wrote, "Great loss to the music lovers RIP Manga". A fan wrote, "awful news .. sorry to hear this Ashu .. I remember when they came and recorded at Katharas for BBC .. such a great crew .. huge loss"

Mangey Khan, a renowned musician celebrated for his distinctive voice, played a pivotal role in introducing Rajasthani folk music to audiences worldwide. As a member of the Manganiyar community in Rajasthan, his music was a captivating blend of Sufi, Rajasthani folk, and Hindustani classical elements.