Under the radiant full moon of Sharad Purnima, Jodhpur RIFF is returning to the Mehrangarh Fort, bringing together over 280 extraordinary musicians from across India and the world. This annual celebration of roots music, now in its 17th year, promises to be a truly magical experience for attendees from October 16-20, 2024.
The festival will feature a stellar lineup of artists, with performances by international and Indian masters, ranging from French electronica artist Éric Mouquet, co-founder of Grammy-winning group Deep Forest, to the renowned Manganiyar vocalists of Marwar. Jodhpur RIFF continues to be a vital space for celebrating Rajasthan’s rich musical heritage, while also providing a platform for international collaborations.
In a conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Divya Bhatia, the festival director, shared his deep connection to the curation process and the overarching vision behind the event. “Jodhpur RIFF has always been about breaking down silos–amongst musicians, between music/ dance/ theatre, and showcasing the breadth of our collective musical heritage. My personal involvement is about building an ecosystem for artists where they feel valued and can express themselves freely. It’s about curating an experience, not just for audiences but also for the performers themselves,” he explained.
Bhatia’s vision for Jodhpur RIFF goes beyond showcasing performances; it’s about fostering transformation within the folk music scene itself. “Folk musicians from Rajasthan are some of the finest in the world. Jodhpur RIFF gives them a platform not just to perform, but to engage with musicians from all over the globe, creating a melting pot of ideas. And an equal playing field. These collaborations transform not only their music but also the way they see themselves within the larger world of performing arts,” rejoiced Bhatia.
The festival is also a place where traditional music is reinterpreted for new audiences. “Our roots musicians have such a deep well of musical heritage to draw from, but they’re also innovating. You will see groups like SAZ, who were born out of this festival, writing original songs and rearranging traditional lyrics to speak to today’s generation. That’s a critical part of what Jodhpur RIFF is about – taking the past and making it relevant today,” Bhatia added.
The 2024 edition of Jodhpur RIFF will feature a range of exciting performances that blend innovation with tradition. Highlights include Éric Mouquet of Deep Forest merging electronica with traditional sounds, Sona Mohapatra returning after 14 years with a special unplugged set, and Sukanya Ramgopal, the first female ghatam player, performing with her student. Meherdeen Khan Langa will showcase the Sindhi sarangi and algoza, while Norway’s GABBA will present the ancient Sámi Yoik singing tradition. Zimbabwean guitarist Louis Mhlanga will bring his unique fusion of African and American music.
Beyond music, the festival also breaks new ground by weaving together dance and theatre with musical performances. Highlights include collaborations between Rajasthani folk group SAZ and kathak dancer Tarini Tripathi, as well as performances by Kutiyattam maestro Kapila Venu from Kerala, who will showcase an ancient theatre tradition, recognised by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage.”
A special annual tribute to the late Padma Shri Sakhar Khan Manganiyar will see vocal legends from the Manganiyar community perform rare and soulful songs in his honour. The performance will feature his sons, Ghevar and Darre Khan, accompanied by other masters of the kamaicha, dholak, and khartal. Devu Khan, a leading khartal exponent, will also join them in this performance dedicated to the rich heritage of Rajasthan’s folk traditions.
Reflecting on the roots of the festival, Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur, Chief Patron of Jodhpur RIFF, said, “Rajasthani folk artists are equal to the best roots musicians in the world. Not just in terms of their musical heritage but also how some of them are reinterpreting and contemporising their legacy for the current generation. Jodhpur RIFF is proof of this. The festival exists to provide an enabling environment and superb platform for folk artists. But it also serves to introduce remarkable international performers to our audiences and gives these artists a fantastic opportunity to interact and collaborate with the infinite living treasure that is Rajasthani folk.”
The festival has nurtured collaborations and opportunities for Rajasthan’s folk musicians, empowering younger performers and creating new avenues for growth. “The community and the artists are at the heart of this festival,” Bhatia emphasized, adding that he sees Jodhpur RIFF as an ever-evolving platform that pushes boundaries and enriches cultural dialogues.
Jodhpur RIFF 2024 promises to be an enthralling experience, offering audiences a chance to witness spectacular performances under the full moon at one of India’s most awe-inspiring venues, Mehrangarh Fort. With a lineup that blends the best of Rajasthani folk music with international sounds, and a curation philosophy that encourages transformation and collaboration, Jodhpur RIFF continues to be a beacon for roots music enthusiasts around the world.
As the festival prepares to welcome artists and audiences alike, Divya Bhatia summed it up perfectly: “Jodhpur RIFF is not just a festival. It’s an ecosystem of creativity, where music, tradition, and innovation converge, creating a space where the world comes to meet Rajasthan, and where Rajasthan meets the world.”