Every October, timed to coincide with Sharad Purnima, the year’s brightest full moon, Jodhpur welcomes a swarm of people for the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival) which features folk artists and others for a series of concerts and events. This year Jodhpur RIFF 2018 started on October 24 morning at Veer Durgadas Smarak Garden at Masuriya Hill, Jodhpur.
This enthusiastic festival will have artists from all around the world. Every year this festival is organised in the city of Jodhpur hence this festival is the gem for the city. The director of Jodhpur RIFF 2018, Divya Bhatia told PTI that, “about 40 per cent of their audiences travel from different parts of the country. It’s a 360-degree immersive music experience unlike any other. There is meditative music, soulful music and there is dance music”.
The annual Rajasthan International Folk Festival will be held from October 24-28 this year from dawn till late in the night to offer a holistic experience. The festival hosts special dawn and midnight concerts, in addition to giving music aficionados an opportunity to interact with different artists.
This festival is a not-for-profit event partnership project involving two of country’s leading heritage trusts that is Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation. This festival has been endorsed by UNESCO as a “People’s Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development.”
The RIFF festival was first organised in the year 2007 and since then it’s growing in distinction and popularity. It’s surprising that in the folk festival, rock bands will also perform considering it attracts a galaxy of top-notch musicians from across India and all around the world coming together in and around a place as striking as Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort.
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HH Gaj Singh Ji of Marwar-Jodhpur (famous as Baapji) is the Chief Patron of Jodhpur RIFF and Sir Mick Jagger, frontman of the rock band ‘The Rolling Stones‘ is International Patron of Jodhpur RIFF. The RIFF features a series of spectacular concerts and events based in and around Mehrangarh Fort, voted ‘Asia’s Best Fortress‘ by Time Magazine.
This five days festival assures to produce new sounds and observe different musical heritages each year through innovative associations of over 300 musicians and performing artists, flowing through all its corners as the sun goes to embrace the horizon and thus make the whole scene culturally one of its kind. Jodhpur RIFF celebrates the unique culture of Rajasthan by showcasing some of Rajasthan’s most beautiful music and dance forms.
From Kachi Ghodi and Kalbeliya dancers to Kawa Circus, one of India’s earliest Rajasthani circus and the ancient Phad or storytelling of Rajasthani culture through folk painting scrolls, there’s a lot on offer. As you look around the festival you may also become wordless after seeing the cutting-edge global dance grooves and headline acts presented every night during the festival on the Main Stage and hence will keep it as a never-ending late night party.
The Meghwals of Marwar herald the first dawn of the festival while the strains of Manganiyar musicians echo through Jaswant Thada. A showcase of rare and lesser-known folk forms, RIFF really leave you wanting more.
For the more information about Jodhpur RIFF 2018 performances, please visit the official website of Jodhpur RIFF. Aapno Jodhpur is waiting to welcome all “पधारो म्हारे देश “ with feelings of “अतिथि देवो भवः”| Connect with us for all latest updates also through Facebook. Let us know for any query or comments.
(Image Courtesy: Firstpost)
