Pandemic Impact on Kiirtan Musicians of Rarh

Funded by Making a Difference Awards

Title: Investigating the Impact of the Pandemic on the Kiirtan Musicians of Rarh, India

Recipient: Jyoshna La Trobe

Date: December 2024 – January 2025

I am eternally grateful to the Prabhat Alloi Foundation, especially Moni and Rekha Mahato, and more recently Subasis De who continue Tinku’s legacy at Prabhat Alloi. My work is to continue to assist in the preservation of the Rarhi Kiirtan tradition, as Tinku would have done.

To each of these kiirtan teams, the Kiirtan Academy, gave a donation, as we share in their appreciation and dedication to the ancient Rarhi kiirtan tradition.

With thanks to Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar who so loved and supported Rarhi culture through his teachings and practices, the local anthropologist Pushupati Mahato and Sempre for their continued support in this endeavour.