The Manganiyar are a Muslim community found in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, India; mostly in the districts of Barmer and Jaisalmer, and in the districts of Tharparkar and Sanghar in the bordering province of Sindh in Pakistan.

They are known for various compositions describing stories focused on humans, nature, and salvation. They are groups of hereditary professional musicians whose music has been supported by their Jajmans (Patrons) for generations. They still maintain their ancestral ties and contacts with the Rajput community; ancient warrior clan.

Some of their ragas have originated in the Thar and are not found in north Indian classical tradition. The particular speciality of the Manganiyar are the Mota geet (long songs) as opposed to Chota geet, (short songs) and more ritualistic songs. Often in Rajasthan, these songs are given raga names, such as Sorath, Maru, Sindhi bhairavi. After a slow poetic vocal introduction without rhythm (Duha), the Manganiyar stretch out the Mota geet, with richness and sensibility. Anwar Khan, now recognized officially as a master singer through his vocal work precisely brings to light the ornamentation which undeniably sends us back to the very origins of certain classical singing.