Rajasthan and the Jodhpur RIFF
Rajasthan
12 days – October 17-28 2010
11 days – October 18-28 2010
Rajasthan is India’s most colourful and spectacular destination. The land of the Rajputs. The landscape, the architecture, the costumes and the music are breathtaking. On this trip, you’ll experience it all. You’ll see many of the spectacular sights and, through the music, get a deep insight into the heart and culture of this larger-than-life destination.
Popular stories about Krishna and his lover Radha are heard in music and seen in the art and handicrafts across the region, as are local stories and characters specific to Rajasthan.
There will be hands-on opportunities to try out musical instruments for those that wish to, although you can also enjoy being a spectator – the music and workshops are a pleasant way of bringing you in close contact with ordinary people who have something special to share. You don’t need any musical skills to enjoy the sounds of the bowed sarangi and ravanhatta, the algoza double flute and the dholak and nagara drums. You’ll also meet members of the Langa and Manganiyar communities who specialise in playing music.
We visit two of Rajasthan’s most important cities – the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and the dramatic ‘blue city’ of Jodhpur, with its rocky fortress. Rajasthan is also a shopper’s paradise, famous for its textiles, semi-precious stones, woodwork and handicrafts. Perhaps at the end of our journey you may also want an instrument or two, or recordings of some of music you have heard.
After time learning about the music of Rajasthan in Jaipur, we will move on to Jodhpur for five days at the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival). This is one of the great music festivals in India with international names rubbing shoulders with outstanding local folk musicians in the unbeatable setting of the Mehrangarh Fort.
All Songlines Music Travellers will receive an information sheet about the local music plus recommended recordings and DVDs.
Rajasthan Itinerary
Day 1 Mon
Arrive in Delhi. At midday we meet our Travel Leader and spend our first afternoon exploring the Indian capital. We explore New Delhi, with its architectural legacy of the British Raj, and then, by contrast, delve into the crowded streets and markets of Old Delhi. In the evening we’ll have our first taste of authentic Indian cuisine.
Day 2 Tues
The morning is left free for you to explore more of the city. After a break for lunch we head for the station and board the train for Jaipur. To travel on an Indian train is to take part in a moving village, and there is the chance to explore the train itself as we roll across the plains and into Rajasthan. We arrive in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur in the evening and settle in to our hotel.
Day 3 Wed
After breakfast we head out of town to the fortress of Amber. It’s a steep climb up to the fort but elephants are at hand to make the ascent easier. After exploring the Fort we return to Jaipur where you can visit the City Palace and the extraordinary observatory. In the evening we enjoy a musical soirée with our hosts.
Day 4 Thurs
After breakfast there’s time for a wander through the markets and alleyways of Jaipur, before we go to state-of-the-art studios specialising in the music of the region. We are introduced to various instruments and vocal styles of the area. We meet hereditary Manganiyar musicians from Jaisalmer for recitals and recordings.
Day 5 Fri
After breakfast we take the train to Jodhpur, a beautiful city dominated by the Mehrangarth Fort on a craggy cliff top. After checking into our hotel we can catch the first evening event of the RIFF festival.
Days 6-8 Sat-Mon
The Rajasthan International Folk Festival brings in superb international artists and puts them alongside some of the finest Rajasthani musicians who have to be seen to be believed. There are concerts at several times of the day in the Mehrangarth Fort and devotional concerts at atmospheric temples and shrines in the city. Our Travel Leader will advise you where to be and when, to catch the best of the performances.
Day 9 Tues
There’s a final devotional concert at dawn bringing the festival to a glorious close against the backdrop of the Fort. The rest of the day is free, either to rest and recover from the last three days, or to explore the city. In the late afternoon we head for the station to board our overnight express to Delhi.
Day 10 Wed
Arrive in Delhi. Over breakfast on the train we’ll see a more crowded landscape after the space of the desert. Mid-morning we arrive in Delhi and we transfer to our hotel. The rest of this last day in India is free for last minute shopping or a final wander through the streets of the Indian capital.
Day 11 Thurs
After breakfast our tour ends. Time to head for the airport and the flight home, or to continue our travels in India.
Pricing Details
Tour price (excl. flights) £839 per person
For information and reservations, call Songlines Music Travel on 020 8505 2582
