Dogri, Dafli & Rinku Mansar Wala: How one Man is saving Mansar & its musical culture

Ask anyone who Rinku Mansar wala is and they will all regale you with fond memories of listening to the man with the dafli (tambourine) most famously known by his hometown Mansar. It is obvious then that Rinku Mansarwala has emerged as one of the biggest and most recognizable faces for Dogri music in our generation.

“I started my musical journey in Mansar and performed at many shows there. The love of the public is how I was given the name Rinkumansarwala,” he says as he fondly recounts his journey. Rinku had always loved music. He started singing at the young age of seven. But it wasn’t until he went to Mansar in 2007 and listened to old Dogri folk songs on the radio that he got pulled into the magical world of music. There was no looking back. “I have faced many challenges but I have never let them become obstacles for me. The visually impaired Rinku Mansarwala takes everything in his stride with a big smile.

“Initially, striving for recognition was hard,” he says. It took Rinku Mansarwala 20 years after moving to Mansar to get his big break when a studio owner gave him a platform. “Of course I was nervous but I am a quick learner and in the end that is what matters.” He recounts the first time he stepped into the studio. “I forgot the first stanza of the song, but within a minute I covered it up and within half an hour I gave my final recording,” he beams with pride.

This kickstarted a long journey for Rinku Mansarwala under the spotlight. Following his music going viral, he has performed live in front of massive gatherings. The latest being at the Musical Mehfil organized at Wave Mall.

“There is a huge difference between recording in a studio and singing live. One can sing randomly when singing for fun but proper beats have to be followed when recording in a studio. One not only gets to learn how to hone one’s vocals but also recognizes the magnitude of publishing a record. Imagine Lakhs of people listening to your voice! That is why it is important to learn and adapt.” With over a dozen projects in the pipeline, Rinku Mansarwala shares his excitement of working with other artists in several other projects. “All artists are very talented and the ones I have had the opportunity to work with excel at what they do.” The posters of these projects are going to be released soon and he hopes the public appreciates the songs.

In order to keep up with all his future work, he requests the public to listen to his songs and to subscribe to his official social media platforms. “The love of the people keeps me going. I work hard every day so that they are proud of supporting me and my music.” The man with the tambourine is also a man on a mission. An ardent believer of supporting one’s roots, Rinku Mansarwala encourages everyone to not only visit Mansar, but to also become active participants in the promotion of Dogri culture and artists.

“Dogri is our mother tongue and we are recognized through it. We are born on this soil and should not leave it behind. It is our duty to preserve our culture and traditions. Dogri has shaped my identity as an artist and I will continue to give back to Dogri in whatever way I can.” He believes that the preservation and promotion of the Dogri language hinges on a very simple thing: parents talking to their children in Dogri and formalizing the language in schools and colleges. “One must feel proud of speaking Dogri as it is a very sweet language. Earlier, educated people used to write poems and stories in Dogri. The youth today must do the same.

Even something as simple as playing Dogri songs at weddings and in our vehicles will go a long way in promoting the language.”