The raga's most widely used in Rajasthani folk songs are Bilawal, Kafi,
Desh, Khamaj and Peelu. Some in their pure forms and others in combinations.
Many folk songs are tuned in Bilawal and Kafi. The folk songs of Rajasthan
have maintained the elements of Indian classical music despite the fact
that they are freely composed and sung, knowing no rigid rules. Classicism
in music have been framing and improving its form with the help of folk-songs.
The famous Mand style singing in Rajasthan is a typical example.
This style is very important in folk-songs and it is well recognised in
classical circles also. Mand is neither accepted as a full-fledged raga
nor is it reckoned among the freely rendered folk songs. Mand goes very
near the thumri or the ghazal. Mand is the exclusive contribution of Rajasthani
folklore to the classical music of India.
