WHAT WE DO
Our core work, inspired by the field-recording legacy of Alan Lomax, spans three pillars, each with measurable outcomes.
Archival
Protecting the Songbooks
We travel to remote regions to record and archive the "living libraries" of our senior masters — musicians who carry centuries of oral history in songs of happiness, sorrow, nature, and divinity, all at risk of being lost forever. By opening these records, we empower artists to reclaim their own heritage and lead the performance of their traditions for a new era.
-
300+ music videos available — in the public domain keeping these traditions accessible to the world.
-
High-fidelity field recordings documenting the masters in their natural environment.
-
Field documentation — travelling to remote regions to research, archive, and record folk music and poetry from oral traditions, including transcription and translation of songs with limited existing documentation.
-
Digital archives — a searchable, shareable database of recordings for the public and for musicians.
-
Recordings as reference — folk songbooks recorded and archived as a reference point for musicians reviving their own heritage. The albums Mitha bol, Banko Ghodo and the 3 at home series with Padma Shri Sakar Khan, Lakha Khan and Barmer Boys are landmark releases, featuring music performed by masters to preserve folk traditions for the next generation.
Revival
.jpg)
Bringing the Craft
Back to Life
Revival is not just about the past — it's about making the old new again. We translate recordings into living experience through active promotion and traditional craftsmanship, and re-popularise traditional songbooks through high-quality album releases.
-
The Sound — opening the songbooks through the performance of bands like Barmer Boys and acclaimed albums such as Mitha Bol and Banko Ghodo.
-
The Legends — keeping the legacy of masters alive through at-home sessions with the late Padma Shri Sakar Khan and Lakha Khan.
-
The Craft / The Kamaicha Project — promoting master makers who keep the music physical, including Shankara Suthar (the last known Kamaicha maker, brought back from a sofa factory to restart production of this rare instrument) and Mohanlal Lohar.
FEATURED ALBUMS
.jpg)
Mitha Bol: Rajasthan Field Recordings, Vol. 1
Sakar Khan: At Home (5-star rated by Songlines)
Lakha Khan:
Live in Nashville
Craft revival in numbers:
-
Deep partnerships with traditional instrument makers — including Shankara Ram Suthar and Mohan Lal Lohar —
to ensure ancient methods survive.
-
Commissioning and sale of over 200 traditional instruments to date, including the Kamaicha, Sindhi Sarangi, and Morchang.
Sustainable
Talent on the Global Stage
Sustainability means ensuring the next generation sees a viable future in folk music. We make folk music economically sustainable through global promotion, digital outreach, and partnering with Amarrass Records to secure high-profile performance schedules for our artists. From offering authentic hand-crafted instruments—helping traditional makers like kamancha artisan Shankara Suthar earn a living—to building awareness through tours, we ensure folk traditions remain a vibrant, profitable way of life.
-
Global Tours — Managing and touring traditional artists across North America, Europe, and India, creating cross-cultural collaborations that earn international acclaim.
-
The Amarrass Stage — Over 100 shows produced through the Amarrass Desert Music Festival and Amarrass Nights, featuring global legends like Bombino, Vieux Farka Touré, and Baba Zula performing alongside traditional Indian masters.
-
Barmer Boys & UNESCO Recognition —Formed by Amarrass Records, the Barmer Boys were highlighted as a featured case study (Case Study 4.11: "Music for Livelihoods") in the UNESCO/UNDP Creative Economy Special Report. UNESCO recognized this work—combining fair-trade models (50-50 income splits), capacity building, and innovative cross-over platforms—as a benchmark for making traditional folk music economically viable and sustainable.
-
Impact in Numbers — Millions of YouTube views for traditional songs and fair-trade income models prove there is a thriving, sustainable global audience for authentic folk music.
Education and livelihoods:
-
Music in Schools — nurturing talent from an early age through workshops and demonstrations.
-
Global Workshops — presentations for institutions to keep heritage alive and pass it to the next generation.
-
Sustainable Income — creating market opportunities and using digital platforms to build sustainable livelihoods for rural artisans.
Communal Harmony - makes music!
Just like music has no borders, we believe in Faith without borders — our stage is a sacred space where Muslim voices sing soulful Bhajans and Hindu singers lead powerful Qawwalis. The prayer is the melody, and the melody belongs to everyone. We also host Amarrass Nights and community gatherings celebrating the folk and secular traditions of India.
The Kamaicha: a joint creation — the story of our music is carved into our instruments. The Kamaicha is born only through a secular partnership:
The Body
The wooden sound box and neck are hand-carved by Hindu Suthars.
The Voice
Muslim Manganiyars take over the finished frame to attach the hide and gut strings
The Union
One community shapes the wood, the other gives it life; the music begins only when the two come together.
Our Pillars of Work
Archival Preservation
We document rare folk songbooks, musical traditions, stories and knowledge before they disappear. These archives are made accessible to the public and, importantly, returned to the musicians and communities as a living reference for future generations.
Instrument Revival
Working with craftsmen to ensure traditional instruments continue to be made, while making our archives accessible on YouTube and other digital platforms — essential for musicians themselves to learn from and be inspired by their seniors' legacy.
Artist Platform
Providing performance opportunities for legendary and emerging folk musicians.
Education & Access
Making archives publicly accessible for learning and research.
Communal Harmony
Hosting Amarrass Nights and community gatherings celebrating the folk and secular traditions of India.
Connect with Us
Want to learn more about our local movement or have a question? We're here to listen and engage with you.
Reach out to us to be a part of the conversation and together, let's build a better future.