House
»
TRAVEL EVENT NEWS
»
Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort Hosts New International Music Spectacle: Rajasthan Worldwide People Competition 2024 Unites Artists from India, France, and Norway
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Over the previous 15 years, the grandeur of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur has set the stage for artists from throughout India and all over the world to show their wealthy cultural heritage and musical prowess. The seventeenth version of the Rajasthan Worldwide People Competition (RIFF), scheduled from October 16 to October 20, 2024, continues this custom. The pageant, which highlights each native and worldwide artists, is poised to be a showcase of numerous musical and cultural performances, whereas fostering a deep connection to Rajasthan’s conventional folks arts.
Supported by the Mehrangarh Museum Belief, the occasion will characteristic greater than 280 artists from nations comparable to France, Norway, South Korea, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius. Legends from India’s vibrant musical scene can even participate, as will an array of rising skills. The occasion will span 5 days, mixing roots music, classical traditions, modern types, and cross-cultural collaborations that promise to seize the imaginations of attendees.
International and Indian Artists Unite
The lineup of performers for RIFF 2024 is nothing wanting outstanding. French electronica artist Éric Mouquet, co-founder of the Grammy-winning music mission Deep Forest, will headline the occasion, bringing an digital twist to conventional folks rhythms. Alongside him, the Manganiyars of Marwar, famed for his or her wealthy desert melodies, will signify the soul of Rajasthan’s folks traditions. Different notable performances embrace Kutiyattam maestro Kapila Venu from Kerala, and the award-winning Norwegian music group GABBA, who not too long ago acquired the celebrated Spellemannprisen.
Indian musical stalwarts like singer, composer, and lyricist Sona Mohapatra can even grace the stage, including to the wealthy tapestry of performances. One of the vital anticipated appearances will probably be from the up-and-coming Rajasthani roots group SAZ, who goal to mix their conventional sound with trendy interpretations of people music. These performances are anticipated to attract music lovers from everywhere in the world to Jodhpur, as RIFF as soon as once more turns into a melting pot of world artwork varieties.
Preserving and Showcasing Rajasthani People Music
Competition director Divya Bhatia, reflecting on the journey of RIFF, shared that the pageant’s central focus has at all times been on placing Rajasthani folks musicians within the highlight. Whereas the pageant has expanded to incorporate each nationwide and worldwide artists, the first intent stays to maintain and rejoice the cultural wealth of Rajasthan’s conventional music scene. Based on Bhatia, this mission will not be one that may be fulfilled in a single day—it requires time, effort, and a dedication to fostering an ecosystem that helps conventional artists.
This 12 months, collaborations between folks and classical musicians will take middle stage at RIFF. Mehardeen Khan Langa, a grasp of the Sindhi sarangi and alghoza, will play each devices, accompanied by Idu and Asin Khan Langa. In a uncommon collaboration, Asin Khan can even carry out with classical sarangi participant Dilshad Khan, merging the folks and classical traditions in a singular musical dialogue.
“This type of collaboration, where folk and classical musicians perform as equals, hasn’t happened in a long time,” famous Bhatia. Such performances replicate RIFF’s ongoing dedication to innovation whereas respecting the deep-rooted traditions of Rajasthan’s music.
Highlight on Ladies Musicians
RIFF 2024 can also be taking a step towards inclusivity by highlighting the contributions of ladies artists. Bhatia shared that girls, who are sometimes the custodians of oral traditions in Rajasthan, not often get the chance to carry out in public areas. This 12 months’s pageant will shine a highlight on a number of ladies performers, together with Sukanya Ramgopal, the primary feminine ghatam participant in Carnatic music. Ramgopal will probably be joined by her pupil, Giridhar Udupa, and his pupil Shreeharsha, in a robust demonstration of intergenerational mastery of percussion devices.
Along with these performances, RIFF will host an interactive session titled “Why I Do What I Do,” which is able to characteristic 5 ladies from numerous performing artwork traditions of Rajasthan: Maewa Sapera, Mamta Sapera, Prem Dangi, Hanifa Manganiyar, and Kamla Bhat. This session will permit these ladies to share their private journeys, providing audiences perception into the challenges and triumphs confronted by ladies artists in Rajasthan’s conventional music scene.
Key Highlights for 2024:
Over 280 artists from all over the world acting from October 16-20.
Give attention to folk-classical collaborations and empowering ladies artists.
Interactive classes highlighting cultural and gender dynamics within the arts.
A New Ecosystem for Conventional Artists
The influence of RIFF extends past the five-day pageant, because it goals to ascertain a long-term ecosystem that helps the livelihoods of conventional artists in Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh Museum Belief, in collaboration with pageant director Divya Bhatia, has plans to conduct common coaching classes for younger musicians to be taught from masters of people traditions. These initiatives are designed to foster a brand new technology of artists who can carry ahead Rajasthan’s wealthy musical heritage whereas adapting to the wants of a contemporary viewers.
Along with this, conversations are underway to ascertain an instrument library, which is able to give younger and aspiring musicians entry to devices they in any other case may not be capable to afford. This library is seen as an important step in empowering younger artists and guaranteeing the survival of conventional music practices.
International Impression and the Way forward for Cultural Tourism
RIFF’s function in selling cultural tourism can’t be understated. Over time, the pageant has develop into a vacation spot for music lovers, vacationers, and cultural fans from across the globe. The presence of worldwide artists and guests helps shine a highlight on Jodhpur and Rajasthan as a worldwide middle of cultural change.
In 2024, the pageant will seemingly draw much more worldwide consideration on account of its numerous lineup and distinctive collaborations between international and native artists. For the journey trade, this implies a lift in tourism, not solely to Jodhpur however to the broader area. The occasion has the potential to herald vital income to native companies, resorts, and artisans, additional strengthening the native economic system.
Because the pageant grows in reputation, it could additionally spark elevated curiosity in different cultural occasions and festivals all through India, positioning the nation as a prime vacation spot for cultural tourism. The long-term objective of making a sustainable ecosystem for people artists may have a ripple impact, enhancing cultural preservation efforts throughout India.
International Impacts for Vacationers:
Elevated cultural tourism and international curiosity in Indian heritage.
RIFF as a mannequin for different worldwide festivals mixing custom with modernity.
Wanting Forward: The Legacy of RIFF
Because the Rajasthan Worldwide People Competition enters its seventeenth 12 months, it continues to evolve whereas staying true to its core mission of preserving and selling Rajasthani folks music. The 2024 version guarantees to be a celebration of world music, cross-cultural collaboration, and the very important function that conventional artists play in modern society. By continued help, each from the local people and worldwide audiences, RIFF helps to create a future the place Rajasthan’s cultural heritage will not be solely preserved however celebrated on the world stage.
