Jodhpur RIFF, India’s beloved roots music festival, is back again this year with a stellar line-up that brings to you a veritable buffet of glorious musical traditions from around the world. From the 26th to the 30th of October, under 2023’s brightest full moon, Jodhpur’s magnificent Mehrangarh Fort will host celebrated performers, showcasing the best of Indian and global roots music, dance, and collaborations between amazing artists (Indian and Indian as well as Indian and international) which audiences will witness for the first time ever.

An incredible auditory experience like no other, fuelled further by the distinguished history of this grand mediaeval fort, Jodhpur RIFF 2023 brings audiences another year of unmissable musical explorations, to be witnessed in a spectacular ambience.

This will be the 16th year of Jodhpur RIFF, which has left its indelible imprint on the revival of the Indian roots music over the past decade and a half: discovering, supporting and providing a platform to the jewels of Indian and Rajasthani roots music traditions on the one hand; bringing some of the world’s most toasted roots musicians to India on the other.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival made a triumphant return last year. This festival promises to build on last year’s success, as well as its illustrious legacy, with scintillating music from countries such as France, Australia, Cabo Verde, Italy, Estonia, as well as diverse Indian regions, with a dazzling array of Rajasthani folk traditions to thread it all together.

The words ‘Jodhpur RIFF’ have become synonymous, in the memories of audiences, with a magical festival that begins at dawn and ends well after midnight, weaving an intricate aura of music and dance into the awe-inspiring architecture of the fort and its history. But its legacy is more. The festival works hard to support traditional forms of music and performing arts, nurturing and supporting artists of the region. Over a decade and a half, through patience and persistence, Jodhpur RIFF has been able to achieve a positive impact within Rajasthan’s folk communities. Today, there are several more opportunities for younger musicians to practise their craft. Rajasthani folk artists have made their mark internationally and nationally, collaborating with musicians from other traditions and nations, and have come together, themselves, in innovative ways, to present their own music.

One such remarkable act is SAZ, a band comprising a trio of ingenious young Rajasthani folk musicians who have rearranged traditional Rajasthani lyrics to relatively more contemporary music as well as written original songs that speak to and popularise the genre among today’s generations. Last year, Asin Khan Langa, a member of SAZ, won the prestigious Aga Khan Music Award which supports exceptional musicians by offering a prize fund and opportunities for professional development. SAZ came together through Jodhpur RIFF and will be performing at this edition of the festival too.

Jodhpur RIFF 2023 is slated to have a special focus on Rajasthan’s percussion instruments — the dholak, bhapang and khartal — the last being unique to the state of Rajasthan. With star studded performances and insightful interactive sessions, audiences will be introduced to these lesser-known treasures from the world of Indian roots music.

In accordance with its mission of introducing Rajasthan’s rich folk music to audiences of all ages, Jodhpur RIFF will continue its tradition of the ‘Bal Mela’ where children from schools across Jodhpur are invited to the colourfully decorated environs of Veer Durga Das Memorial Park. Here, they witness the breadth of Rajasthani folk traditions through interactive performances from several troupes specialising in ghoomer, kathputli, kachchi ghodi, teraah taali and, a crowd favourite — Rajasthan’s very own Circus! In addition to this, the children also witness other children their age presenting their ancestral music, as young musicians take to the stage, delighting their peers. Perhaps the only Indian music festival of scale to have such a dedicated, free-of-cost programme for school children, Jodhpur RIFF is proud to have hosted more than 2,500 students at the Bal Mela last year and hopes to exceed that number in this edition.

Renowned for the unique collaborations it spawns and supports, Jodhpur RIFF 2023 will embark on several fascinating musical unions. While this edition will present exciting collaborations  between international and Indian artists — with Cabo Verdean drummer Miroca Paris, for instance — it will focus especially on collaborations amongst Indian artists, bringing together classical and folk traditions of India.

In commissioning such projects, Jodhpur RIFF remains committed to creating a platform where roots artists are recognised on par with artists from all traditions. When a classical dance form such as Kathak is performed to Rajasthani folk percussions and song, it is expected to go a long way in showcasing that both traditions are worthy of equal stature and regard.

This celebration of varied and complex musical forms, from India and abroad, makes Jodhpur RIFF one of the most acclaimed roots music festivals in the world and the upcoming edition hopes to further cement its reputation as such.

Some Highlights from Jodhpur RIFF 2023

RIFF Dawns

RIFF’s Dawn Concerts offer the unique experience of witnessing a sunrise listening to soulful, serene music. Apart from the music of the Meghwal and Manganiyar community, the dawn concerts will feature the legendary vocal quartet Sharma Bandhu, extremely popular for their bhajans and renditions of Nirguni poetry and renowned Carnatic vocalist Mahesh Vinayakram. One dawn concert will be dedicated to wind instruments with the young Idu khan Langa on the algoza followed by the Estonian group Kuula Hetke (literally translated to ‘listen to the moment’) on their magical flutes.

Zenana Courtyard Stage

Island rhythm innovator Miroca Paris who started his career by playing for International superstar Madonna, will bring his driving, playful music which offers a fresh take on the rich heritage of Cabo Verdean music traditions to the Jodhpur RIFF stage. Driven by his roots, uplifting, and dynamic, Miroca Paris is sure to captivate the audience with his warm raspy voice and native Kriol.

The stage will also host the Italian award-winning trio from Naples, Suonno D'Ajere. Driven by their love for the Neapolitan song, these accomplished musicians from different backgrounds have collaborated to restore the dignity and depth of the Neapolitan vocal tradition, creating arrangements that combine stylistic rigour with a contemporary approach.

Also representing the rich musical traditions of Italy, we will have Ars Nova Napoli, performing their varied repertoire — from the Pizziche Pugliese to Sicilian serenades, from the Neapolitan classics to the Calabrian tarantellas. An Italian roots project which has made its name across Europe, this is a treat you would not want to miss.

Also on offer shall be “The Cool Desert Project” — a collaboration between the Rajasthani folk trio SAZ and Rhys Sebastian, India’s leading saxophonist. Expect a whole lot of bluesy riffs, desert vibes and off-beat dance grooves as Jazz and Rajasthani folk traditions come together in this unmissable performance.

The Zenana Stage will also host Jasser Haj Youssef, a master musician of the Aga Khan Music Program, who will perform a solo set on his chosen violins. Jasser is a one of the world’s leading young musicians, and is master of the violin and baroque viola d’amore.

Jeff Lang, Australia’s most accomplished slide guitarist, songwriter and singer will perform with his long-time friend and collaborator, percussionist Greh Sheehan, bringing his unique blues and roots style to the Jodhpur RIFF stage. Both artists will begin new collaborations with Rajasthani folk artists this year. 

Living Legends

Living Legends features a legend of the ‘khartal’ — Bundu Khan Langa, nicknamed ‘Kohinoor’ by none other than the late Queen Elizabeth II for his remarkable mastery of the khartal. He will share the stage with his sons Zakir and Kasam, and colleague Bhanwaroo.

Also featured will be Bade Ghazi Khan Manganiyar, a highly acclaimed vocalist who is known for his mesmerising renditions of traditional songs that have been passed down through generations within the Manganiyar community. His soulful voice and mastery of various traditional compositions in Sorath and Khamaiti, have earned him immense respect and recognition. In recognition of his contribution to Rajasthani folk music, Bade Ghazi Khan Manganiyar was honoured with the prestigious Marwar Ratna Award. Not surprisingly, he is one of the creators of the modern film song, Nimbooda Nimbooda, inspired from the original traditional folk composition.

Indie Roots

Jodhpur RIFF expanded its spotlight last year to include in its ambit a section dedicated to featuring independent musicians. Independent musician Harpreet Singh will be performing the long Punjabi poem Khooni Vaisakhi set to music composed by himself as a tribute to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. We will also see Raina Peterson (of Fiji-Indian and English descent) perform their dance piece titled Narsimha – ManLion, which draws on their training in classical Indian dance (mohiniyattam), exploring Narsimha’s violent imagery through a poem by Andal, eighth-century poet-saint from Tamil Nadu. This section will also feature Tarini Tripathi, acclaimed Kathak dancer, in a first-time collaboration with Rajasthani artists.

Dance Bootcamp

Audiences will be able to participate in two dance bootcamps. One with Asha Sapera, renowned dancer and singer from Rajasthan’s Kalbeliya tribe, who will teach the famous Rajasthani dance form of ghoomer. The other will be conducted by Kathak dancer Tarini Tripathi, also a certified strength & conditioning specialist who has developed a fitness routine involving elements from her Kathak training.

Club Mehran

Performing late into the night, the club performances feature Afrobeat and Dancehall outfit Nkumba System and Latin American DJ Chonta aka Alejandra Gomez, each bringing their groovy dance music for a late night party to the fort. The highlight however, is ‘Dholworks’ - a new collaboration commissioned by Jodhpur RIFF which brings together the historical battle of the Rajasthani dhol drummers.

RIFF Rustle

As is customary, a smorgasbord of performers will come together in a grand jam or ‘rustle' during the festival’s grand finale. For the first time ever, this festival’s rustle will be led jointly by 3 collaborating rustlers - Miroca Paris and Australian percussionist Greg Sheehan, supported by Bombay Brass’s saxophonist Rhys Sebastian.