Most of my 20’s were spent laughing around cooking fires, playing with dusty desert children and applying kajal on bumpy jeep rides through the desert on my way to perform with the Kalbeliya of Rajasthan. I have been deeply involved within this community of dancers and musicians for more than two decades now, with bonds that span several generations.

Nakarali is a Marwari word (the language of Western Rajasthan) that refers to a woman (or a camel) who is profusely adorned and swinging with jewels and trimmings.