The Portland Museum of Art is pleased to host a return performance by The Merasi, an Indian musical group sponsored by Folk Arts Rajasthan, a US nonprofit devoted to cultural preservation and social empowerment. This performance is an opportunity to be transported to the fabled desert caravan routes of India, where the music evokes the age of Rajput kings, Muslim musicians, and Hindu devotion to create an exhilarating performance. The members of this seven-person troupe are called Merasi, and their ancestors sang for the Bhatti royal family of Rajasthan, India.

This special musical group is directed by Sarwar Khan, who was born and raised in the Merasi (musician) community in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Khan is a distinguished drummer descended from 37 generations of royal musicians designated to play for the Maharaja of Jaisalmer. The Merasi are a unique group of Muslim musicians, who perform sacred music in Hindu Goddess temples in Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India. The Merasi live on the social and geographical periphery of society. Khan has made it his life's mission to empower the Merasi community through musical preservation and social change initiatives. For more information about the Merasi and their tour schedule, visit www.merasi.org.