28th November, 2024
23rd September, 2014Soft, silver moonlight, a faint smell of the desert sands, twinkling stars on a vast blue-black canvas and the gentle autumn breeze blowing over the blue city.... it’s that time of year again... to gear up for Rajasthan’s incredible rendezvous. Come October and all roads lead to Jodhpur to the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort where this year’s Jodhpur RIFF ensues from 8th October to the 12th October, 2014. Acknowledged as being one of the best music festivals in the world by CNN Travel and International music magazine Songlines, Jodhpur RIFF is a superb experience for music lovers attracting thousands to its excellent, spell-binding artists from Rajasthan and abroad.
The blue city comes alive on the evening of 8th October with foot tapping music by the Algoza party, amazing male dancers, Jumma Jogi’s Bhapang, poetry and wisdom and vignettes of many other Rajasthani and international performances.
Consequent to this vibrant opening variety concert, between 9th to the 12th of October Mehrangarh turns into a centre of cultural dialogue through music, narrations, dance forms and talks - with artists and performers converging from across Rajasthan, Scotland, Brazil, Crete, Reunion Island, Senegal and Australia.
Announcing the 2014 edition of Jodhpur RIFF, HH Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur-Marwar and Patron of the Festival said, “As we begin the 8th edition of Jodhpur RIFF, we are happy to note that due to the single minded and consistent excellence of Jodhpur RIFF, we are beginning to see a greater presence of the wonderful Rajasthani artists in other mainstream music forums as well. Roots, folk and world music is becoming hip and we are proud of the pioneering role that Jodhpur RIFF is playing in this movement”.
Festival Director Jodhpur RIFF Mr. Divya Bhatia adds, “We’ve having a great year – we presented Rajasthani artists and our collaborations at Celtic Connections (Scotland), at the Forde Festival (Norway), during the Commonwealth Games and will be doing so at WOMEX in Spain later this year and then touring Australia early next year. Jodhpur RIFF is getting many invitations and much kudos for its work. And it is now being recognised as the best place to experience this heady mix of rustic riffs, root textures, contemporary arrangements and global rhythms - Jodhpur RIFF is a must-do on every music lover's calendar”.
Highlights of the year:
- A Classic Meeting: Jodhpur RIFF presents an unbelievable combination of stalwarts rarely heard playing with each other, each a legend in his own right both in India and abroad. Fazal Qureshi (Tabla), Dilshad Khan (Sarangi) and Mahesh Vinaykram (vocals).
- Yemen Blues - Blurring Boundaries: In 2010 Yemen Blues created waves on the world music scene with a new sound that brought together Yemenite, West African and Jazz influences. A band made up of artists from as far afield as Uruguay, New York and Tel Aviv – music that combined mambo, African rhythms and Arabic chants melded with Sephardic and jazz and funk – Yemen Blues is a roots music path breaker on the road to stardom.
- Song, Strum & Beats – a remarkable evening featuring the amazing vocals of Christine Salem, the gentle and nuanced genius of Malick Pathe Sow and Bao Sissoko on kora and hoddu, the unbelievable magic of the Manganiyar of Marwar and Scotland’s “acid-croft” Shooglenifty with Rajasthani artists.
- Sikar Gharana - a unique Jodhpur story: Jodhpur RIFF 2014 presents a unique classical music concert by the members of the Sikar Gharana produced specially for the festival - audiences will see and hear many generations of the same family playing the compositions of their forefathers (and mothers) including a rare raga composed by one of them the sarangi maestro late Ustad Sultan Khan himself - Rasmohini.
- Desert Lounge: This year Jodhpur RIFF presents Rajasthani Sufi singers – superb male vocalists including stalwarts like Darra Khan Manganiyar and Kachara Khan Manganiyar singing both rare and popular Sindhi and Rajasthani Sufi compositions of poets such as Bulleh Shah in true and robust style.
- Village Soul: A rare assembly of traditional women vocalists will open the first evening concert of Jodhpur RIFF 2014. Featuring Bhanwari Devi, who comes from the Bhopa-Bhopi tradition and an experienced vocalist with a voice unlike any other.
- Folk meets Classical with Maand and Jangda: Maand is one of those rare Rajasthani creations that sits comfortably within both the folk and classical traditions while the Jaangda is a unique musical form particular to professional musician communities of the Manganiyar, Langa and Dholi – both musical forms originate in Rajasthan and are superb contributions to the music of India.
- RIFF Rustle at Club Mehran: With James Mackintosh, Kheta Manganiyar, Yuri Honing, Rajasthani musicians and surprise guest artists. This year, James MacKintosh – Scotland’s foremost and most innovative drummer - is our rustler, who will lead this year's moonlit jam….. who knows what will happen!
- Softly Strung: At JRIFF 2014, Joseph Tawadros master of the Oud plays a solo set to the accompaniment of the Rik and then collaborates with the legendary Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma from Crete on the Lyra and Ghevar Manganiyar, master of the Kamaycha - an unusual and very special collaboration for Jodhpur RIFF.
- An interactive workshop on the Percussion of Rajasthan: Chang, Nagada, Dhol, Khartal, Morchang, Bhapang, Derun, the complexity of the each instrument are rarely appreciated and understood. This year the masters of the instrument weave their magic as they perform while providing insights into the cultural significance, the making, the relevance and the future of these instruments.
- Living Legends: Rajasthan’s musical traditions are vast and varied. These traditions remain alive only because they are passed on, orally, from generation to generation. Some unique and committed artists from these traditions like Hazi Khan Bhutika (Vocals), Hasam Khan Manganiyar (Kamaycha), Jamila Bai (Vocals), Pratap and Sugan Natha Jogi (Mashak), Bada Ghazi Khan Manganiyar (Vocals) and Sumitra Devi (Vocals) - take it upon themselves to become custodians - teaching and sharing their knowledge, skill and understanding to those younger.
- Rhythm and Percussion: Jodhpur RIFF presents a little gem of a performance featuring Pakhawaj maestro Parveen Arya from Jaipur with a slew of master folk percussionists. An unusual ‘taal-kachehri’ – sensational rhythm collaboration unlike any other... accompanied on the Sarangi by young maestro Asin Langa and on the kamaycha by Chanan Mangnaiyar.
- DJ / Composer Maga Bo featuring percussionist Sandro Lustosa and Rajasthani artists: Inspired by the philosophies of Hip Hop and Dub, Maga Bo's work makes connections between the traditional and the avant grade, and the local and the global.
- Baul Fakiri with Noor Alam and Subhadra Sharma: Jodhpur RIFF brings two younger bauls – Noor Alam Fakir and Subhadra Sharma – to celebrate the rising sun with their songs and music.
- Children’s Folk Morning: This year we are presenting a special RIFF Children's Corner for our younger patrons that will feature Kawa Circus and regulars such as the Kathputali, Kachi Ghodi & Chhatar Kotla, Bahrupiya.
For those who do not know, Jodhpur RIFF is a not-for-profit partnership project involving two of India’s leading heritage trusts: Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation. The festival has been endorsed by UNESCO as a “Peoples’ Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development.” HH Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur is the Chief Patron.
Sir Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones is the International Patron of Jodhpur RIFF. John and Faith Singh, founders of Anokhi and the Jaipur Virasat Foundation are also patrons of Jodhpur RIFF.
Timed every year to coincide with “Sharad Purnima”, the brightest full moon of the year in north India, Jodhpur RIFF features a series of spectacular concerts and events based in and around Mehrangarh Fort .
For booking donor passes and programs please visit the website - http://www.jodhpurriff.org/
For further information, please visit Facebook page – Jodhpur RIFF-Rajasthan International Folk Festival
8th October
Opening Night - Variety City Concert from 8.30 PM to 10.00 PM Outside Jaipol, Mehrangarh Fort (Venue TBC) Open to all, entry free A one and a half hour vibrant extravaganza of Rajasthani traditional music and dance that includes Algoza party with male dancers, Bhawai, the indomitable Jumma Khan and his bhapang party and a variety of Rajasthani dance forms. Also catch vignettes of some of our other international performances. All free!
Fort Festivities from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM throughout Mehrangarh Museum Entry for Museum ticket holders and RIFF Full Festival Pass holders. As you wander through the Mehrangarh Museum, taste the myriad flavours of a variety of traditional dance forms reflecting the distinctive root traditions of Rajasthan – some known and some not so well known. Various forms including – Male dancers and their Algoza Party - a groovy, fast paced amazing dance form – part-bhavai and part-acrobatic; Derun dancers – an unusual dance to the accompaniment of the Derun drum, considered by some to be the precursor to Lord Shiva’s damru; Dhol Thali Nritya – another mesmeric village dance performed on special occasions…and a special treat – Traditional dances of the Garasia – a name given to some of the tribal communities from the deeper interiors of Mewar –from Pali and Sirohi districts.
In Residence - a series of interactive sessions with our custodians of culture from 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM Chokelao Bagh (Mehrangarh Fort) Entry pass @ Rs. 500.00 only per session
Visitors to RIFF will have the rare opportunity to meet fascinating artists in various root traditions, engage with them and chat about various folk instruments, forms and communities of Rajasthan through their performances, demonstrations and facilitated interactions. As more and more of Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage disappears and new generations turn to other professions seen to be more financially rewarding than their music, RIFF puts the spotlight on some of Rajasthan's more profound communities, forms and traditions nearing extinction.
Session 1 - 9th October The Percussion of Rajasthan – facilitated by Divya Bhatia Chang, Nagada, Dhol, Khartal, Morchang, Bhapang, Derun
The complexity of the Nagada, the gentle sounds of the Chang, the energy of the Dhol and the intricacies of the Khartal are often applauded but rarely appreciated and understood. At RIFF, the masters of these percussion instruments weave their magic as they perform for us while providing insights into the cultural significance, the making, the relevance and the future of these instruments. Moreover, members of the audience will get a rare opportunity to play the instruments under the guidance of the traditions' experts.
Session 2 – 10th October Kaavad, a unique storytelling tradition from Rajasthan – with Prof. Nina Sabnani ‘Kaavad Banchana’, an oral tradition of storytelling is still alive in Rajasthan where stories from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are told along with stories from the Puranas, caste genealogies and various stories from the folk tradition. The experience is enhanced as the listener is taken on a visual journey made possible by the ‘Kaavad’ shrine – a wooden, multi coloured, multi-‘cupboard’. Against the backdrop of storytelling it invokes the notion of a sacred space and provides an identity to all concerned with its making, telling and listening. Professor Nina Sabnani of the Industrial Design Centre in Powai, Mumbai introduces this rare tradition as artists recite and chant the mysteries of the Kaavad.
Session 3 – 11th October Folk meets Classical: Maand and Jangda - with Dr. Vijay Verma Maand is one of those rare Rajasthani creations that sits comfortably within both the folk and classical traditions while the Jaangda is a unique musical form particular to the professional musician communities ofthe Manganiyar, Langa and Dholi – both musical forms originate in Rajasthan and are superb contributions to the music of India. We are indeed fortunate to have this session lead by Rajasthan's leading expert on folk traditions, Dr. Vijay Verma. The stellar artist lineup in this session includes vocalists Chiranji Lalji and Ghafur Khan Manganiyar.
RIFF DAWNS with the Meghwal of Marwar from 5.30 AM to 7.30 AMJaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort) Open to all, entry free We begin the first of our dawn concerts with the gentle, soothing voices of the Meghwal, a community from the Marwar region in Rajasthan. While the community is not recognized as ‘professional’ musicians, the Megh or Meghwal are superb singers. Their saint is Ram Devji and singing bhajans in his honour is common in their villages. Their main accompanying instrument is the `tandura' an unusual string instrument with a very distinctive sound. And the jhanjh, a cymbal-like instrument. The Meghwal women of western Rajasthan are recognized as being very good weavers. Unique to the Meghawal tradition is the sequential bhajan and storytelling style of the Meghwal of Marwar heralding in the first dawn at Jodhpur RIFF 2014.
MOONRISE Jasnath ji ke Bhope (Further artist details available from 1st September) from 5.30 PM to 6.30 PM Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort) Open to all, entry free More ritual than performance, the priests and followers of Jasnath ji ke Bhope are believers in Shakti, expressed through their relation with fire. Unique to their tradition, their practice includes the control of senses, fire walking and a trance like state where their belief allows them to feel the energy of the universe flow through them.
FULL MOON MAGIC Main Stage Performances from 7.45 PM onwards Old Zenana Courtyard (Mehrangarh Fort) Entry pass @ Rs. 1400.00 only Village Soul - the voices of the women of Rajasthan Among the many traditional women performers in the folk traditions of Rajasthan, the most visible are their graceful and vibrant dancers. The vocalists in their midst are no less enthralling and we are proud to present a rare assembly of women vocalists from Rajasthan, who will open the first evening concert of Jodhpur RIFF 2014. The artists include Bhanwari Devi, coming from the Bhopa-Bhopi tradition and an experienced vocalist with a voice unlike any other. She has performed for Jodhpur RIFF and at the Edinburgh International Festival as well as being part of stellar collaboration on Coke Studio this season
Softly Strung Joseph Tawadros (Oud), Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma (Lyra), Ghevar Khan Manganiyar (Kamaycha), James Tawadros (Rik) The heart-stirring music of Joseph Tawadros comes from an age old traditional Egyptian instrument called the Oud. While the playing of this instrument has grown fairly widespread, only a handful of expert musicians remain prolific, with Joseph amongst those at the forefront. At RIFF, Joseph Tawadros plays a solo set to the accompaniment of the Rik and then collaborates with the legendary Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma from Crete on the Lyra and Ghevar Manganiyar, master of the Kamaycha - an unusual and very special collaboration for Jodhpur RIFF.
Sikar Gharana - a unique Jodhpur story Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan, Imran Khan, Slamat Ali Khan, Irfan Khan and Salman Khan (Sitar); Dilshad Khan, Sabir Khan and Shahrukh Khan (Sarangi); Hanif Khan, Babu Khan, Aziz Khan (Tabla); Hafiz Khan (Harmonium) Over a hundred years ago, Maharaja Kalyan Singh of Sikar (near Jaipur) honoured Ustad Azeem Khan as his court musician, sowing the seed that was to become the Sikar Gharana. Interestingly, this little known Sikar gharana (literally, ‘housing’) settled itself in Jodhpur in the early-mid twentieth century, when Ustad Gulab Khan, son of Azeem Khan moved to Jodhpur. Gulabji’s son and its most famous member in recent memory is the late Ustad Sultan Khan, master of the Sarangi. Jodhpur RIFF 2014 presents a unique classical music concert produced specially for the festival - a truly rare occurrence where audiences will see and hear many generations of the same family, steeped in their musical tradition playing the compositions of their forefathers (and mothers!) including a rare raga composed by Ustad Sultan Khan himself, Rasmohini.
Desert Lounge Rajasthani Sufi at Midnight Rao Jodha Park (Mehrangarh Fort) from 00:00 AM Entry pass @ Rs. 600.00 only Come join us for an unusual, acoustic, full moon-lit rustic experience - under the stars with remarkable traditional artists. As you wander towards a tune floating in from afar or sit down to enjoy it by the light of a fire we hope you will experience this night as a simple, yet magical one. This year Jodhpur RIFF presents Rajasthani Sufi singers – superb male vocalists including stalwarts Darra Khan Manganiyar and Kachara Khan Manganiyar singing both rare and better known Sindhi and Rajasthani Sufi compositions of poets such as Bulleh Shah in true and robust style. Please note: Hot drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Please carry something warm to wear – the nights can be chilly. The meeting point for those who want to be guided to the location is in the Mehrangarh Fort lower car park at 00.15 am.
RIFF DAWNS with the mellifluous Santoor of Nawab Khan from 5.30 AM to 7.30 AM Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort) Open to all, entry free. At Jodhpur RIFF this year, young Nawab Khan brings in the dawn with some rare tunes on the Santoor based on early morning ragas from north Indian classical music traditions. The Santoor is one of India’s older instruments, played mostly in Kashmir and a descendant of a similar instrument dating back to the Mesopotamian civilization. A not-so-distant cousin to the Gypsy Cimbalom, the Santoor was the accompanying instrument to Kashmiri folk music that found its way to India via Persia. Nawab Khan grew up in a Jodhpur household immersed in Hindustani classical music. An eager musician active in presenting music programs in the city, experimenting with music therapy and a willing collaborator with other musicians, the last few years have seen Nawab emerge as a accomplished classical Santoor musician in his own right.
Living Legends I from 5.45 PM to 7.15 PM Shringar Chowk (Mehrangarh Fort) Entry pass @ Rs. 550.00 only
Hazi Khan Bhutika (Vocals) Hasam Khan Manganiyar (Kamaycha) Jamila Bai (Vocals)
Rajasthan’s musical traditions are vast and varied. These traditions remain alive only because they are passed on, orally, from generation to generation. Some unique and committed artists from these traditions take it upon themselves to become practicing custodians, teaching and sharing their knowledge, skill and understanding to those younger. Often, they remain invisible to the mainstream society, but continue to serve their communities sans kudos or commission. Jodhpur RIFF, in recognition of this silent yet immense contribution of these artists within the folk traditions, acknowledges them by according them legendary status in special evenings during the festival. Artist details available from 1st September.
A Classic Meeting Fazal Qureshi (Tabla), Dilshad Khan (Sarangi) and Mahesh Vinaykram (vocals)
Jodhpur RIFF presents an unbelievable combination of stalwarts rarely heard playing with each other, each a legend in his own right both in India and abroad. Accomplished masters of their instruments
each of these artists is now responsible for a musical legacy of gigantic proportions and yet, they remain free and unfettered developing and enhancing their art for the next generation. Fazal Qureshi, son of Ustad Allah Rakha, Dilshad Khan, nephew of Ustad Sultan Khan and Mahesh Vinaykram son of Ghatam master Vikku Vinayakram come together to give us an evening of incredible musical dynamism – combining traditional and contemporary styles to present a ‘pan-Indian’ classical concert.
Yuri Honing Quartet featuring Rajasthani artists
(Saxaphone, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Khartal, Dholak, Vocals)
Yuri Honing is no stranger to RIFF. He was here with his Trio in 2008 and then again with his electric band in 2012, blowing minds and hearts with equal aplomb. This time, he comes with his acoustic quartet, featuring, for the first time on the Jodhpur RIFF stage, a piano. Sometimes languid, sometimes racy but always catchy, the Yuri Honing Quartet brings a new Jazz to Jodhpur…. and as always, works on some incredible collaborative work with his favourite Rajasthani musicians. This time round, the intent is to create work that can travel and which will be recorded with a share of the proceeds rightfully going to the Rajasthani artists… Not to be missed!
Yemen Blues - Blurring Boundaries (Bass, Percussion, Trumpet, Oud, vocals, Gimbri) In 2010 Yemen Blues created waves on the world music scene with a new sound that brought together Yemenite, west African and Jazz influences. A band made up of artists from as far afield as Uruguay, New York and Tel Aviv – music that combined mambo, African rhythms and Arabic chants melded with Sephardic and jazz and funk – Yemen blues was a roots music path breaker on the road to stardom. In a short span of four years, it has become one of the most sought after bands to emerge on the scene. As a reviewer wrote about one of their albums… ‘Ravid Kahalani (Yemen Blues front man) and cohorts are clearly a force of good that draw upon a musical foundation from a region that has good reason to sing the blues.’ Referred to as being ‘raw and rooty’ the Yemen Blues is known to evoke New Orleans second-line band sounds and rocking Middle Eastern rhythms, all of which can course together in a raucous party on stage… with Kalahani's soulful vocals alternating between the grit of the Mississippi Delta to the falsetto of Prince-style funk. One of the breakout favorites from this 2012 globalFEST (US) lineup, Yemen Blues gives their premiere Indian performance at the Jodhpur RIFF 2014. RIFF EDGE Club Mehran Performances from 12.00 PM Daulatkhana Chowk, Mehrangarh Fort Entry pass @ Rs. 1000.00 only DJ/ Composer Maga Bo featuring Sandro Lustosa and Rajasthani artists Inspired by the philosophies of Hip Hop and Dub, Maga Bo's work makes connections between the traditional and the avant grade, and the local and the global. With collaborations playing a major role in his creative process, he travels the world searching for new ideas, inspiration and people to work with. There are no canned samples here - all instruments and vocals come straight from the source. Maga Bo has performed and worked in over 40 countries, his work bringing him in contact with a host of rather interesting artists, characters and situations. Back at Jodhpur RIFF by popular demand, this year he brings along a guest artist – ace Brazilian percussionist Sandro Lustosa, who among other achievements has played consistently with artists like Manu Chao and Lila Downs, taught music in Brazil and the UK and played and composed for film and television.
11th October
RIFF DAWNS with BAUL FAKIRI with Noor Alam and Subhadra Sharma from 5.30 AM to 7.30 AM Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort) Open to all, entry free.The baul (meaning maverick or mad) traditions of north–east India are lead by mystic minstrels, who sing about the ‘maner manoos’ or ideal being. Born of a number of traditions, scholars say that baul origins include Vaishnavism, Tantra, Buddhism, and Sufi-Islam. While many bauls have moved to cities and stayed true to their traditional existence of austerity and non-materiality, it still remains a vastly popular tradition in the villages of West Bengal and Bangladesh as a rich treasure-trove of nirguna devotional poetry and mysticism. Jodhpur RIFF brings two younger bauls – Noor Alalm Fakir and Subhadra Sharma – to celebrate the rising sun with their songs and music.
Living Legends II from 5.45 PM to 7.15 PM Shringar Chowk (Mehrangarh Fort) Entry pass @ Rs. 550.00 only Pratap and Sugan Natha Jogi (Mashak) Bada Ghazi Khan Manganiyar (Vocals) Sumitra Devi (Vocals) Rajasthan’s musical traditions are vast and varied. These traditions remain alive only because they are passed on, orally, from generation to generation. Some unique and committed artists from these traditions take it upon themselves to become practitioners or even custodians, teaching and sharing their knowledge, skill and understanding to those younger. Often, they are invisible to mainstream society but they continue to serve their art, their audiences and communities sans kudos. Jodhpur RIFF, in recognition of this silent yet immense contribution of these artists within the folk traditions, acknowledges them by according them legendary status in special evenings during the festival.
Malick Pathe Sow and Bao Sissoko (Vocals, Hoddu, Kora, Guitar) Jodhpur RIFF is honoured to present Malick and Bao, two great Senegalese musicians now living in Belgium. As a duo, they create an exquisite, trance-like set that is remarkable for Sow’s warm, soulful vocals and for the interaction of the two players. The Kora is a like a combined harp and long string lute and the Hoddu, also referred to as a xhalam, is considered to be the parent of the American banjo. Masters of the Kora and the Hoddu, Malick and Bao’s premiere performance in India promises to be a nuanced, gentle and fantastic presentation – certainly not to be missed!! The Manganiyar of Marwar A special continuing dedication to the late Sakhar Khan by the artists of the Manganiyar community (vocals, kamaycha, dhol, morchang, dholak, khartal, murli) Rarely does one get to hear the mellifluous sounds of the Kamaycha – soft, earthy, roughly melodic – an expression of the desert like none other. In a dedication to the master of the kamaycha, the late Sakhar Khan Manganiyar, musicians of the Manganiyar community lead by Kheta Manganiyar and Sakharji's sons Firoz and Ghevar, arrange and curate a varied performance with over 20 members of the community. Produced in 2013, this concert was one in a series of folk concerts that we aim to present in the coming years – commissioned, creatively produced and presented by RIFF.
Shooglenifty – with Rajasthani artists (Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Drums, Electric Guitar, Dhol) Credited with being the originators of 'acid-croft', a fiery and infectious blend of Celtic traditional music and dance grooves that band members describe as "hypno-folkadelic ambient trad", Shooglenifty are legends of the contemporary folk scene in Scotland and in the larger Celtic music domain. Master of the fiddle Angus Grant, guitar god Malcom Crosbie, creator of the Banjax Gary Finlayson, vocalist extraordinaire Kaela Rowan and super drummer James MacKintosh come together to create some incredible tunes, immensely listenable and often very dancy. At Jodhpur RIFF, they present tracks from a new album as well as collaborative pieces with Rajasthani artists.
Jodhpur RIFF are proud to present Shooglenifty at the festival, after facilitating a brief but outstanding collaboration with them at the Glasgow Festival 2014. The collaboration with the Rajasthani artists then performs at Celtic Connections in January 2015!
RIFF Rustle at Club Mehran With James Mackintosh, Kheta Manganiyar, Yuri Honing, Rajasthani musicians and surprise guest artists from 12.00 AM onwards Old Zenana Courtyard (in Mehrangarh Fort) Entry pass @ Rs. 1000.00 only The RUSTLE at RIFF is our largest impromptu collaboration event that concludes the festival's night time revelries. Every year, the festival appoints an artist as 'rustler', who then rustles up musicians from the festival to participate in this performance in pairs, or quartets or all together – he or she feels fit to do – it's our way of giving them an opportunity to perform on stage with each other, most of who have never met before or may rarely meet again. This year, James MacKintosh – Scotland’s foremost and most innovative drummer - is our rustler, who will lead this year's moonlit jam….. who knows what will happen! Not to be missed!!
RIFF DAWNS with Kabir Panthi Prahlad Tipaniya from 5.30 AM to 7.30 AM Jaswant Thada (outside Mehrangarh Fort) Open to all, entry free RIFF’s special closing concert takes place against the stunning Jaswant Thada by Kabir Panthi Prahlad Tipaniya, folk music maestro from the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh. Prahladji is amongst the most renowned of Kabir panthis, having performed extensively across India.
In addition to having a profound understanding of the saint-poet Kabir’s words (Kabir vaani), Prahladji’s explanations and insights into life/ poetry add immense meaning to his singing.
Children’s Folk Morning from 9.30 AM to 2.00 PM Venue to be confirmed For schools only This year we are presenting a special RIFF Children's Corner for our younger patrons that will feature the following: Kawa Circus,India's first Rajasthani circus act featuring traditional artists of Rajasthan. Not to be missed! Kathputali (String Puppetry) is one of the most ancient forms of entertainment and amusement. Besides entertainment, today this art conveys meaningful messages in villages while narrating legends, myths and historical events of times past. Kachi Ghodi and Chhatar Kotla is performed on dummy horses, men in elaborate colorful costumes dance rhythmically to the drum beats, while a singer narrates the exploits of the Bhavaria bandits of Shekhawati. Bahrupiya The artful, disguise specialist and con man, the performer par excellence.
PLEASE NOTE
The Program is subject to change without notice
There will also be screenings of films at Jodhpur RIFF. Please watch out for details of venue and timings on our facebook page in late September and at the venue. Entry will be free. Films to be shown during the festival will include "The Lost Music of Rajasthan" – a BBC 'Imagine' Documentary. For queries related to the program, email: info@jodhpurriff.org
