Evenings can be irksome for Mumbai’s denizens who have to jostle with teeming crowds to board a train after a tiring day at work. But train-regulars in the first class compartments on the city’s Central and Western line have one thing to look forward to. It’s a soulful rendition of golden oldies from Bollywood’s heydays like Aaja Sanam, Madhur Chandni Mein Hum .

Commuters silence their phones and tune in with rapt attention when the Rajasthani duo of musicians, Mukesh (19) and Bharat (26) play their sarangi. The pair has been soothing frayed nerves with their deft play of the classical instrument for the past seven years. Mukesh and Bharat put their skills on display every evening. On a good day, they earn up to ₹400 each from patrons who enjoy the music.

The moment Mukesh rolls his bow on the string, the crowd on the Kurla-bound train is mesmerised. “ Badhiya bajaata hain ,” says Hareshbhai, a passenger as he sways his head.  These musicians are welcomed into the compartments of these trains, as passengers make space for them to create magic on their instruments. Mukesh is often accompanied by his friend on the Central line who plays on a tin box as his dholki, while Bharat prefers to go solo on the Western line. Mukesh and Bharat were introduced to the art by their fathers who came to Mumbai some three decades ago.

“Our ancestors have been playing the instrument for long...our fathers came to the city to further the art,” Mukesh adds. Their ancestors specialised in traditional Marwadi Sangeet, but coming here changed it all. Bollywood had its influence and traditional music gave way to Hindi film songs. Bharat says they play devotional songs for the elderly, old Hindi film songs for the middle-aged and the latest numbers for the young.  The aim is to entertain people and be known for the art, says Mukesh. “We get some small assignments intermittently in colleges, housing societies during Navratri,” he adds.

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