BWW Previews: JODHPUR RIFF 2017 at Mehrangarh Fort

During the beautiful night of Sharad Poornima, it will be as if the heavens would descend in the desert city of Jodhpur in India. The Mehrangarh Fort in the city will come alive with music, vibrant hues and the rustic charm of root musicians from India and abroad. The 2017 edition of Jodhpur RIFF will run from 5 through 9 October 2017.

For a decade now Jodhpur RIFF has been synonymous with music belonging to the heart of India.

Jodhpur RIFF offers a contemporary experience of rustic cadence, where Rajasthani music amalgamates with global sounds from across the world.

Some of the highlights of the festival this year will be

Highlights of the festival:

The Legendary Musicians of Rajasthan

Nihal Khan: is a traditional Manganiyar folk musician specialising in the 'Jangda'

Babunath Jogi: Babunathji is a Jogi and the lone singer in his village singing the stories from the epic lives of Shiva, Gopichand, Bharthari and other folk heroes as well as Kabirvani and the songs of Surdas and Gorakhnath.
Bikha Khan with Multan Khan: Bikhaji, 74, is the living master in folk renditions of Khamaj, Suhab, Sourath, Bharavi, Todi, Bilawal, Megh Malahar and Jog.

Kamaycha Charm with Ghewar, Darra and Firoze Khan
Few living masters still present the unique legacy of the mellifluous Kamaycha. Brothers Ghewar Khan and Darra Khan take the legacy forward accompanied by Firoze Khan, the master of the Rajasthani dholak. Younger artists accompany the seniors presenting a unique concert centered around this incredible instrument.

Paco Renteria - India premiere

Jalisco,the land of Carlos Santana, Tequila and Mariachi, gives us another virtuoso guitar player Paco Renteria - expressing explosive Latino passion with roots in gypsy flamenco, oriental and progressive jazz beats, Paco has performed with artists such as Carlos Santana and Luciano Pavarotti. His original composition, "El Mariachi", was the main theme for the movie "Desperado", with lyrics added and performed by Los Lobos and Antonio Banderas. A 2002 Latin Grammy nominee, Steven Spielberg's studio selected Paco Renteria for composing and performing the promotional soundtrack used in Mexico for the movie, "The Legend of Zorro".

Jodhpur RIFF & The Spree collaboration - India Premiere (UK-India Year of Culture 2017)

The Spree (Paisely) twins with the Jodhpur RIFF, in a celebration of friendship and indeed, the Paisley Pattern itself - two 'tapestries' will be curated, one musical and the other digital. An hour-long performance will be curated in Jodhpur and premiere at the opening concerts of both the Jodhpur RIFF (6 October) and the Spree (13 October). Ross Ainslie, whose accolades include being one half of the 2017 BBC 2 Folk Duo of the Year (Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton), leads the collaboration which also features virtuoso fiddle player and composer Angus Lyon, the remarkable Hindustani vocalist SmitaBellur and awe-inspiring Sindhi Sarangi master Asin Langa.

Shooglenifty and Dhun Dhora- The High Road to Jodhpur (album India premiere)

Formed thousands of miles apart and yet with so much in common, the two combos have worked together for nearly four years and the bonds that bind them are stronger than ever. And no one emerges from a Shooglenifty/DhunDhora show without answering the urge to move. Performing in two minority languages - Gaelic and Marwari -they speak the same musical language. A live interplay of equals, together they have developed a mischievous improvisational musical kinship that is a delight to witness.

The collaboration will be recorded and filmed in Scotland and India, ready to release their album in early 2018.

The Roundhouse sessions with Welsh story tellersand mystical music from India
Jodhpur RIFF begins 'The Roundhouse Sessions" a 2-year collaboration of Welsh story-tellers with Indian mystical music, connecting the messages of the stories in a musical mélange of Welsh and Indian languages. The collaboration is unique in that it is facilitated by three festivals - Festival of Voice, Beyond the Border and Jodhpur RIFF.

Sila Mangka and Rewben Mashangwa

Exceptionally talented, Manipuri vocalist Sila Mangka reveals her masterful talent and unique training in rare traditions of Moirang Sai and Basok with her group Laihui. Rewben Mashngawa, father of the Naga blues then joins her on stage for a new collaboration.

Meet the Bhil of Rajasthan

The Banswara Bhillshail from southern Rajasthan are linked to the indigenous tribes of Central India. Their traditional music includes Gatha (story songs), Lori, devotional, ritual songs, and love songs sung in Dvipadi (2-line verses), Tiripadi (3-line verses) and Chatuspadi (4-line verses), in a rhythmic style, using the Dhol, Koudi, Thali, Ghungroo, Kundroo, Tambura, and the Ghumera dance.

Bookings:
Online bookings for festival passes will begin from 22nd August 2017, at www.jodhpurriff.org
Early bird discount of 15% will be available until 12th September 2017.

For further updates on Jodhpur RIFF 2017, please visit our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/JodhpurRIFF/

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