Press
The Manganiyars: Folk Music from the Dunes
A deep dive into the Manganiyars of Rajasthan, celebrating their musical heritage, patronage traditions, and enduring legacy across generations.
Rajasthan' Rare Musical Instrument
A journey into the fading legacy of the rare Rajasthani surinda and the musicians striving to keep its sound alive.
Rajasthan's rural life museum enchants visitors
A feature on how Arna Jharna reimagines desert knowledge, celebrating Rajasthan’s traditional wisdom through nature, craft, and community life.
The true roots of folklore
The Arna Jharna in Jodhpur, India, taps into the traditional knowledge base of local communities, encouraging and showcasing the innate connection they have with nature
Brooms in limelight
A reflection on Komal Kothari’s vision to build a museum rooted in the everyday broom, revealing the depth of Rajasthan’s traditional knowledge through the simplest object.
Brains, toilets, and brooms
From 7,000 dolls in costume to a collection of brooms, these museums in India will tickle your brain with their extraordinary take on discovery and learning.
The duo that changed Rajasthan's folklore
A tribute to Komal Kothari and Vijaydan Detha, the duo whose pioneering work in folklore, music, and ecology shaped Rupayan Sansthan and inspired the creation of Arna Jharna.
Rethinking Heritage Through Open Museums
An in-depth look at Arna Jharna’s unique approach to museum-making through desert landscapes, folk traditions, and hands-on learning.
The world of Rajasthani folk music is shrinking
In the absence of local patronage, Manganiyars and Langas are forgetting the gathas and kathas inhabited by magical, bewitching characters.
Offbeat rural destinations in India
A look at how this rural desert museum shows the deep link between Rajasthan’s food, nature, and daily tools like the humble broom.
Desert Knowledge as Museology
A feature on how Arna Jharna’s community-led, ecology-based model expands global conversations on new museum formats.