Komal Kothari was a pioneering figure in Indian folk studies, especially known for his groundbreaking work in preserving and promoting the oral traditions, music, and folklore of Rajasthan. Born in 1929 in Jodhpur, he co-founded the Rupayan Sansthan (Institute of Folklore) in 1960, along with poet Vijaydan Detha. The institution became a hub for researching and archiving the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan's rural communities.