Nathulal Solanki: The Man Who Kept Nagara Alive

Jan 01, 2026

Rajasthan — a land of valour where the soil breathes art, the winds hum with culture, and every gathering echoes tradition. In this rich tapestry, one sound has endured for centuries — the thunderous rhythm of the Nagara. And the artist who carried this majestic kettledrum from local ritual to the world stage is Nathulal Solanki of the Pushkar Nagara Gharana. Once central to temple rites, folk celebrations, and even the battlefield, the Nagara had begun to fade. Then a nine-year-old boy chose it as his destiny — backed by thirteen generations, fifty-four years of discipline, and an unshakeable resolve to revive and share its legacy with the world. At a turning point in his life, Nathulal Solanki walked away from a secure police job, choosing instead the call of the Nagara — not as a profession, but as a heritage he was determined to carry forward for future generations. Now, the next generation has stepped forward to carry this rhythm into the future. Since 1991, every evening at Pushkar’s Gangaur Ghat, the sound of his Nagara has rolled across the lake. The meeting of water, faith, and rhythm creates a divine ambience that draws visitors from across India and the world. Today, students from India and across the world learn the Nagara from Nathulal Solanki — completely free of charge. They spend hours immersed in practice, chasing its rhythm and mastering its art. In doing so, he keeps both the tradition and its music alive for generations to come.