Rooted in Rajasthan’s oral traditions and shaped by centuries-old folk memory, folk music custodian Mame Khan, also the first Indian folk artist to perform at Cannes, continues to create and preserve music that carries forward generations of cultural heritage. From village gatherings to international stages, the folk maestro has built a career around safeguarding authenticity while allowing tradition to evolve, quietly challenging the notion that folk music belongs only to the past.Looking back at folk music’s journey from hotel dining spaces to headlining slots at major music festivals, Khan, in a candid conversation with Lucknow Times, bares his heart out on shifting audiences and expanding platforms, while making a firm appeal to the industry to acknowledge origins and give due credit to folk artists.