India’s first annual festival of regional folk music and the arts at the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.
More than 150 performers from Rajasthan,India and the world……………. Four Nights and three days of events under the brightest full moon of the year…… A long weekend of spectacular celebrations not to be missed! Jodhpur RIFF will be a unique opportunity to hear some of Rajasthan’s most talented musicians working alongside the world’s finest classical,folk and fusion artists in a setting of unparalleled beauty. Festival highlights include Main Stage artists Shye Ben-Tzur (11th October),Aashish Khan (12th October) and the Titi Robin Trio (13th October),as well as three club nights featuring some of the finest new sounds from India’s hottest urban venues. All this will take place under the brightest full moon of the year,known as Sharad Poornima and traditionally a time of festivities in Jodhpur.
Free events will take place in large public spaces across the city as part of the Marwari Festival. Day time performance by local folk musicians in the relaxed surroundings of the gorgeous Shockable Palace Gardens will be followed every day by an unplugged sunset concert with visiting artists from abroad. For festivals-goers who make it through to the final morning, a dawn devotional concert on 14th October will be followed by breakfast at Jaswanth Thada -the richly carved white cenopath that faces the rising sun and imposing facade of Mehrangarh Fort less than 2km away.
Experience four nights of unforgettable music-making in one of north India’s most spectacular fort palaces…
Perched high above the surrounding desert landscape, Mehrangarh Fort soars skyward from the craggy cliffs that overlook the city of Jodhpur, famous for its painted blue buildings and rich heritage of living craft traditions.
Normally closed to visitors after nightfall, the Fort will be opening its doors for four nights in October 2007 as part of the launch of India’s first annual roots music festival, the Rajasthan International Folk Festival.
Featuring artists from across the state of Rajasthan, India and the world, the festival will play host to singers, dancers, instrumentalists, storytellers and artisans whose skills will be showcased during three full days of interactive educational events, staged performances and late night jam sessions that bring audiences face to face with the artists in a setting of unparalleled beauty.
The opening of the festival has been timed to coincide with the brightest full moon of the year, when the royal apartments and gardens, screened verandas, courtyards, terraces and ramparts of the Fort are at their most stunning and atmospheric.
Known as Sharad Poornima, this is traditionally a time of festivities in Jodhpur, when the city comes alive with music and dance. Free performances will take place every night in large public spaces across the city as part of the Marwar Festival, which this year will be complemented by the events taking place inside the Fort.
The Rajasthan International Folk Festival begins with a grand ceremonial procession and gala dinner on 25th October, followed by three full days of music-making ranging from traditional folk performances to club nights that bring together local artists with some of India’s top bands.
For festival-goers who make it through to the final morning, there will be a dawn devotional concert on 29th October followed by breakfast at Jaswanth Thada – the richly carved white cenotaph that faces the rising sun and imposing façade of Mehrangarh Fort less than 2km away.
