Jodhpur RIFF presents some wonderful acts for the little wonders of generation next:

Kathputali - String Puppetry is one of the most ancient forms of visual storytelling, combining elements of music, dramatic speech and dance. Besides entertainment, this is a skillful form that conveys meaningful messages while narrating legends, myths and historical events of times past.

Kachi Ghodi - A dance form featuring a colourful dummy-horse, in which men in elaborate costumes dance rhythmically to beating drums, under a large umbrella, Chhatar Kotla - while a singer narrates the exploits of the Bhavaria bandits of Shekhawati.

Bahrupiya - The artful, disguise specialist and performer par excellence – the ultimate con-man!

Kawa Circus - India's first Rajasthani circus featuring numerous traditional artists of Rajasthan

Jogi Kalbeliya Nritya – Of all of Rajasthan’s dance forms, the popular Kalbeliya dance is probably the best known, nationally and internationally. Snake worshippers and charmers, the Jogi Kalbeliya are masters in everything to do with snakes – in fact, their dance moves are based entirely on the fluid movements of snakes.

Young musicians from the Langa community – The Langa are a professional musician community. They are either ‘sarangiya’ Langa, who can sing and simultaneously play the exquisite Sindhi sarangi - or the ‘surnaiya’ Langa, who play the algoza and other woodwind instruments. Trained by their ‘ustad’, the young, budding masters of the community will share their music and inspire the school children as they continue to uphold the legacy of their forefathers.

Popular Songs of Rajasthan presented by the young artistes from the Langa community

Shaukat Andaz Qawwal and Party, exemplary qawwals from Jodhpur present traditional qawwali on the ‘kalam’ of the poets of the Indian sub-continent

Ladu Ram Nayak and Party of Shekhawati present the Derun Nritya

Agni Bhawai, traditional fire dance from the villages of northern Rajasthan, with amazing balancing acts and acrobatics

Dhol Drummers of Rajasthan - popular and internationally known drummers of the Manganiyar community play their traditional Dhol, while Ashok Pahadia, popular male dancer from Tonk (near Jaipur) takes the stage with a power packed performance

The Meghwal of Marwar herald in the first dawn at Jodhpur RIFF, every year.

Early in the day, a serene morning, the melodic drone of the ‘Tandura’, the beat of the Jhanjh/ Manjira (small-paired cymbals) and the rhythm of the Dholak create the mood for the meditative strains of the bhajans of the Meghwal community, sung in praise of their Guru/ saint Ram Dev ji.

The Banswara Bhil hail from southern Rajasthan and are linked to the indigenous people of Central India. An important aspect of the Bhil people are their folk songs, folk dances and their instruments, particularly the koudi, dhol-thaali and the kundroo. For a layperson, their songs are distinctive in that they often don’t have any refrain or an ’antara’ (2nd verse) and additional syllables like ‘hun’/ ‘hurra’ add a rhythmic element. And their music is varied, including gatha (ballads), lori(lullabies) and devotional, ritual and love songs sung in dvipadi (2 line verses), tripadi (3 line verses) and chatuspadi (4line verses).

Malini Kale, a writer, scholar, social worker with considerable expertise on Bhil tribal music introduces us to the culture and music of the Bhil community.

Jodhpur RIFF’s interactive session series gives the audience a rare opportunity to meet fascinating artists from various root traditions.The sessions encourage visitors to engage with them and chat about various folk instruments, forms and communities 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, Jodhpur RIFF puts the spotlight on some of Rajasthan's remarkable music forms and traditions nearing extinction.

Bhikha Khan accompanied by Multan Khan Manganiyar(vocals, kamaycha)

Bhikha Khan and Multan Khan are brothers from Dedariyar village in district of Barmer.

They were trained in their traditional music by their father Juntha Khan, who was a highly respected and well known member of the Manganiyar community.

At 74, Bhikha ji is custodian, master and among the senior-most members of the community who can still share and speak about the depth and width of their community’s musical traditions. He is an undisputed master of folk renditions in Khamaj, Suhab, Sourath, Bhairavi, Todi, Bilawal, Megh Malhar and Jog. He is also known for Jangda, Dyodha, Bhawan, Sourtha - styles of singing, unique to the Manganiyars.

Bhika ji’s patrons are Rathore Rajputs. Both Bhika ji and Multan ji (54 yrs) have also trained in Shubhraj – composition and recitation in verse, in praise of their patrons and their ancestors. Bhika ji is a well-travelled artist and has worked extensively with the late Komal Kothari on his various projects in India and abroad.

Ladu Ram Nayak(derun, vocals)

Ladu Ram ji (also 74 years old) hails from the Nayak community of Aaspalsar (Churu district in Shekhawati). He learnt the dance and vocal form from his father (the late Kalu Ram Nayak) and from an early age, accompanied him at numerous jagran. He started performing with his own group at the age of 17 and now, Ladu Ramji and his sons sing and perform ballads about their folk heroes - Goga ji and Jagdev ji at a variety of jagran and temples. Derun (a percussion instrument, is their traditional accompaniment; they also use dholak, manjira, dhol, thali. And after 1950, the harmonium too has been used fairly regularly. Today, Ladu Ram ji believes that he gets good work in jagran and temples because of Goga ji's followers and they invite him to perform regularly. But the younger generation is not very keen to learn this traditional art form. “Nowadays they can take people to hospitals so they don’t seem to need the music that can heal*”, he says. “Until people continue to have faith in Gogaji, I will be assured of work." Ladu Ram ji has performed in many festivals in India and abroad. In 2011 Jodhpur RIFF produced a collaboration project with Ladu Ram ji and his musicians which toured the UK and performed with the master percussionist Pete Lockett.

*Various folk music communities in Rajasthan sing in praise of their local deities and for healing; for e.g., the Meghwal and Kamad sing in praise of their saint/Guru Baba Ramdev, Bhopa-Bhopi sing stories of Pabuji (folk deity of camels) and for healing camels and Nayak (or Bhil) of Shekhawati sing in praise of Gogaji (folk deity of snakes).Devotees believe that the guru of Gogaji, Shri Gorakhnathji gave a boon to this community to heal snake bites. Traditionally, the Derun performers dance near the injured person and sing songs in praise of Goga with their charismatic instrumentation and music. They believe that by doing it in the right spirit and at the right time, the venom can be prevented from spreading through the injured person’s body.

Maand with Ghavri Devi Rao and family

Ghavri Devi of Pali, is a spirited singer with a powerful voice. Even at 80 years of age, her voice culture and zest for music remain intact. Her personality shines through in every encounter, full of grace and charm. She is considered one of the senior most singers of Rajasthan, after the legendary late Allah Zila Bai (Bikaner), and late Ghavri Devi (Jodhpur). She is accompanied by her husband on the bhapang, daughter and daughter-in-law on vocals, and her son on dholak.

Kamaycha Charm with Ghewar and Darra Khan Manganiyar (kamaycha, dholak, khartal)

A unique Rajasthani string instrument, the kamaycha (a round bodied sarangi-like instrument, variant of the Persian kamanche) is rarely heard today, with few musicians able to play the instrument as masterfully as brothers Ghewar and Darra Khan Manganiyar can. Sons and students of the late Padmashri Sakar Khan ji, both brothers have made a name for themselves around the world, for their exquisite musical artistry, soul-stirring performances, and collaborations with classical and contemporary artistes from India and abroad. They are also teachers of their tradition, sharing the concern and care for the future of the legacy that they’ve inherited. This year at Jodhpur RIFF, they assemble a unique ensemble that includes other musicians, young and senior, presenting a mellifluous concert centred around the soulful strains of the remarkable kamaycha.

In its present form, the Kamaycha has 10-17 strings and is played with a bow. A typical Kamaycha is made of mango wood, its rounded resonator ‘tumba’ is covered with goatskin. The playing strings (3-4) are made of goat intestine -‘roda’ and ‘joda’ while the other 14 resonance strings are made of steel, called ‘jhara’. The Kamaycha is different from its Iranian counterpart called ‘Kamanche’ (a spiked fiddle with a smaller body and no resonance strings). The Kamaycha’s bow is prepared from ‘Khejari’ wood and horse tail hair. Occasionally, small bells (ghungroo) are attached to the bow to produce a rhythmic jingle along with the notes.

A Musical Tapestry
A UK-India Year of Culture collaboration: Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan, India) collaborates with The Spree festival in Paisley (Scotland, UK)
Featuring Ross Ainslie, Angus Lyon, Blue Rose Code, Asin Khan Langa, Smita Rao Bellur and others

The Spree festival (Paisley, Scotland) collaborates with the Jodhpur RIFF in a spirit of friendship and deepening connections. To celebrate the close links between both festivals, cloth-making and the musical heritage of the two countries – and, indeed, the Paisley Pattern itself – two ‘tapestries’ will be curated, one musical and the other digital. A musical collaboration will weave together traditional music from India and Scotland to create an hour -long performance. Young Ross Ainslie, eminent piper, flute player, multi instrumentalist and composer (and co-recipient of the BBC2 Folk Duo of the Year 2017) leads the collaboration, which also features other virtuosos - fiddle player and composer Angus Lyon, Blue Rose Code, the remarkable Hindustani classical and mystical vocalist Smita Bellur, Sindhi sarangi master Asin Khan Langa.

The collaboration will be curated and developed in Jodhpur and premier during the opening evenings of both the Jodhpur RIFF (6 October) and The Spree festival (13 October) this year. A digital photographic collaboration between 100 young people from both cities kicks off at the festival, culminating in an installation created by local artists.

This collaboration is a featured project of the UK India Year of Culture 2017, Made possible with the support of the British Council, Creative Scotland and the Jodhpur RIFF and The Spree festival.

Jodhpur RIFF presents 'Desert Lounge' in the Rao Jodha Desert Park, just outside the Mehrangarh Fort… an unusual, acoustic, moon-lit rustic experience under the stars with musicians in the park. This year we present leading musicians from Barmer district and Jodhpur.

Manganiyar of Barmer: Master musician Multan Khan Manganiyar (featured as a ‘Living Legend’ in a previous edition of Jodhpur RIFF) and Luna Khan Manganiyar, are among the few senior artistes hailing from Barmer district who maintain, guide and lead the continuation of the Manganiyar musical legacy in their district. Accompanied by younger artistes from the region, they will present traditional, rare and popular compositions, and songs from the vast Manganiyar repertoire. These are traditionally sung for their Rajput patrons; they will also showcase their unique musical styles, including the Jangda and Maand.

Qawwali Party of Jodhpur: Shaukat Andaz Qawwal and party are renowned Qawwals of Jodhpur and present a full concert of durbari qawwali (devotional ‘kalam’). ‘Qawwali’ is the process of singing ‘qoul’ (sayings of the Holy Prophet). Amir Khusro, the legendary musician and Sufi poet is considered the father of qawwali and popularized it through the mehfil-e-sema (listening) whose purpose was remembrance of the spiritual and the Divine (zikr)

Please note: The meeting point for all audience is in the Mehrangarh Fort lower car park at 10.45 pm or at the entrance to the Rao Jodha Park at 11.00 pm. The walk to and from the performance space is approximately 10-15 minutes from the lower car park: first on the road to the Rao Jodha Park entrance (5 minutes) and then in the park itself (5-8 minutes) – so please and wear decent shoes for walking!

Please carry something warm (it gets chilly); hot drinks & light refreshments are available for purchase. As the music is acoustic (non-amplified) and the space is intimate, any noise might make it hard to hear vocalists and distract fellow audience members. We would greatly appreciate it if the audience refrained from chatting and speaking on phones during the performance. You could step away from the seating area to do so.

Anwar Khan Manganiyar is one of the leading vocalists of Rajasthan. Gifted with a sonorous voice, profound knowledge of traditional music and vast experience, Anwar ji is truly a gem of a musician and a charming and loveable personality. He performs his first ever solo early morning concert at Jodhpur RIFF. He will present the words of a variety of poets from Rajasthan such as Mira, Kabir, Dadu and Gorakhnath. He will also present some rare morning songs of his community which they sing in Reyan (morning gathering of entire village during wedding and festivals) like Parbhatis (Morning songs), Heli (a song in from of prayer to call the Divine), Guru Mahima and many more.

The Mir-e-Alam are a semi-pastoral people of the Mirasi community of the Bikaner/Pugal region of Rajasthan and have a strong, beautiful musical tradition of spiritual music. They sing the poetry of Baba Farid, Baba Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu and Khwaja Ghulam Farid in Seraiki/ Punjabi. While recent years have seen an increased interest (and research) in their music, much of it remains inaccessible and unexposed to potential audiences. The challenges of eking a daily existence have taken a toll on the cultural heritage of this community, as have numerous socio-political factors which are largely out of their control. And yet, their voices remain strong and clear.

Jodhpur RIFF presents the Mir musicians for the very first time. Rahul Ghai, a professor and senior researcher from Tonk who has worked with the Mirs for a number of years will contribute to the discussions and shed light on various aspects of the music and lives of the Mir musicians, including how a revival seems to be shaping up – the discussion providing greater awareness as to what life may have in store for them.

Vocalist in Seraiki/ Punjabi Mir Bassu Khan, a leading light among the Mir, accompanied by veteran musician Mir Abdul Jabbar (Pappu); Mir Ramzan Khan and Shayar Khatoon, singers of the bhakti bani - singing the poetry of Meerabai, Kabir and Achal Ram and Mir Shaukat Khan presenting traditional kalam in the tradition of his seniors and peers – all promise to share their stories with us, and enthrall us with their musicianship.

Nihal Khan (vocals)

Born to senior Manganiyar musician Bidu Khan and Mirga, in the village of Sanavada (Jaisalmer) in the heart of the Thar desert, he bravely faced the loss of his eyesight at a young age and began learning music from Haji Bhatuka (a renowned ustad among the Manganiyar) at the age of 15. Primarily a vocalist, today he is adept at playing the harmonium, khartal, dhol and dholak. He specialises in Jangda (a traditional folk style of singing which has difficult voice inflections and challenging murkis - rapid phrases in compositions sung energetically). He sings Maand and traditional Manganiyar songs of love and separation. He has maintained his varied musical repertoire through the years thus helped the continued, oral preservation of his tradition.

Nihal Khan has performed all over the country, and overseas in France and Portugal, where he has featured in many festivals. Now at 52, he is a highly respected senior folk musician, teaching traditional folk songs to eager youngsters.

Babunath Jogi (jogiya sarangi and vocals)

Babunath Jogi is an Aughar Nath Jogi from Pathoda village in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, and hails from a family of professional musicians. There are a variety of Jogi communities in Rajasthan – Jogi Kalbelyia, Aughar Jogi, Mev Jogi to name a few. Aughar Jogis have a very unique lyrical style of singing tunes, in cyclical patterns. They use the jogiya sarangi, shankh, singi, matka and bhapangas accompanying instruments. Babunath is the lone singer in his village, singing the stories from the epic lives of Shiva, Gopichand, Raja Bharthari and other folk heroes. The ballad of Ranjha (of the popular love ballad Heer–Ranjha, said to have mystical significance), Kabirvani and songs of Surdas and Gorakhnath are also sung by this veteran vocalist. Babunath Jogi lives the philosophy that he sings about, an embodiment of the concept of ‘ramtajogi’- a saint always on the move with little or no material possessions, who has denounced worldly pleasures and thinks of himself as a traveler in pursuit of the eternal truth.

Babunath started training under his father at a young age, and later got training from his Guru Gissanath. He loves to sing thematic episodes from the lives of known deities and his favourites include Lord Krishna (Krishna Leela) and Lord Shiva (wedding episodes). He has performed all over India and abroad, but now, due to advancing age, he prefers not to travel outside of Rajasthan.

Jodhpur Riff is happy and honoured to have him in our midst again as a Living Legend.

Padharo Mahre Desh - the rare and popular songs of Rajasthan

Across the nation (and in certain parts of the world), songs from Rajasthan have become immensely popular. And many songs are only really popular in Rajasthan. For the first time on the main stage at Jodhpur RIFF, we present a number of accomplished musicians from a variety of musical communities of Rajasthan, all coming together to sing and perform traditional compositions of the popular songs from the region. And in true Jodhpur RIFF style, numerous equally exciting and enchanting lesser-heard songs will also be performed.

Among the artists featured will be:

Sumitra Devi of Pali, the soulful and mellifluous vocalist par-excellence

Dayaram, a Dholi and Maand singer from Naguar who is also a trained artsite of Kuchamani Khayal (musical theatre)

Kader Khan Langa, one of the senior most vocalists and sindhi sarangi players of Rajasthan

Lakha Khan Manganiyar, the greatest living exponent of the sindhi sarangi and master vocalist

Butta and Nehru Khan Manganiyar, young virtuosos, exemplary vocalists

Papamir, master dholak player

They will also be accompanied by masterful musicians on khartal, morchang, kamaycha, tandura, harmonium, manjira

Exceptionally talented, Manipuri vocalist Mangka reveals her masterful talent and unique training in rare traditions of Moirang Sai and Basok with her group Laihui. A young master of both Manipuri folk music and classical dance, her combinations of song and dance are both beautiful and graceful. With her extensive training in rare traditions of Moirang Sai and Basok, Hindustani Sangeet and dance, this artiste has performed all over the country with Laihui - her music group and has also collaborated with musicians from Japan, Hawaii and New York.

Rewben Mashangva, father of the Naga blues and an artist who is equally adept at singing Bob Dylan tracks, then makes a rare appearance outside his home state of Nagaland - on stage for a solo set and some collaborative work with the Manipuri artists.

RIFF Rustle, our largest, impromptu collaboration event that concludes the festival's night time revelries. Every year, the festival appoints an musician as a 'rustler', who then rustles up other musicians from the festival to participate in this performance in pairs or quartets or all together. It's our way of giving an opportunity for visiting artists to perform on stage with each other, most of who have never met before or may rarely meet again. And giving our audiences an memorable evening of music, unpredictability and dance!