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Jodhpur RIFF: Blending Ancient Roots with Contemporary Sounds
1 Oct
Summary
- Jodhpur RIFF, India's leading "roots" music festival, features over 290 artists from Rajasthan and 12 countries
- The festival presents musicians who are stars in their homelands but often unknown abroad
- Jodhpur RIFF aims to elevate local musicians and preserve traditional music forms
As the world gears up for the 18th edition of Jodhpur RIFF, India's leading "roots" music festival, the anticipation is palpable. Held annually at the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the festival is set to take place on October 2nd, 2025, bringing together a remarkable lineup of over 290 artists from the state of Rajasthan and 12 countries, including Portugal, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Colombia, Canada, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Unlike typical global pop culture festivals, Jodhpur RIFF presents musicians who are stars in their homelands but often unknown abroad. The festival's director, Divya Bhatia, emphasizes that the notion of celebrity is shaped by the media, and there are many true stars in different countries that remain unrecognized. Jodhpur RIFF aims to change that by providing a stage for these talented artists, including Rajasthani folk musicians who would otherwise be relegated to small urban venues.
The festival's lineup this year is not just bigger, but richer, with a diverse array of musical traditions and influences. From Rajasthani folk with classical jazz to beats of electronica and African percussion, the festival promises a seamless blend of genres, with room for even reggae, Celtic, and Romani traditions. The festival also introduces artists from countries it has never hosted before, such as Portugal, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, including the debut of the thousand-year-old classical music tradition of Shashmaqam from Central Asia.
