Taga Ram Bheel
An algoza player from Jaisalmer who learned the double flute while herding cattle, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.
The algoza is a pair of wooden flutes played together, a sound of the Thar desert [2]. Taga Ram Bheel is one of its leading players. In 2026 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of art, from Rajasthan [1].
Learning in the desert
He was born on 17 April 1960 in Moolsagar village, Jaisalmer [2]. At seven he began learning the algoza from his father, and practised on his own while grazing cattle in the desert [2]. His instruments are made from sheesham and kair wood [2].
His break came on Independence Day 1981, when he was invited to play at Gopa Chowk in Jaisalmer [2]. After that he played for presidents, prime ministers and visitors from around the world [2]. He trained further under Ustad Akbar Khan and received a CCRT scholarship in 1986 [2].
On tour
He has played at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, the Pushkar fair and the Bikaner camel festival [2]. Abroad he has performed in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Japan and Singapore, and toured the US in 2014 and 2017 [2].
He founded and directs the Algoza Folk Music Institute in Moolsagar [2].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2026: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2026 investiture ceremony brochure: citation for Taga Ram Bheel — Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Accessed 12 October 2026.
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