The Jodhpur RIFF took off in 2007 and it's been growing in distinction and popularity ever since. By Jigyasu Joshi
Comfortably seated under the orangish evening sky, with the sun almost hiding behind the Aravali hill range, different people from all around the world kept on talking until the folk legend, Sawan Khan, began singing sindh sufi poetry. Sindh is a region where many Sufis lived, and the Sindhi language has a rich tradition of their poetry and teachings. With all the voices slowly fading away behind the soulful sufi voice, it was music that bought all of them together. Jack Dome, who came from Brisbane, said it was his 4th time at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. “Everytime we are here, it feels like we don’t want to leave the place. All the artistes are simply amazing and when they perform, all we want is to sit and listen to them,” said Jack who came with his wife.
Running in its 10th year, RIFF has always welcomed patrons of music from around the globe. Regardless of the country they belong to or the language they speak, people gather to enjoy and celebrate the spirit of folk music. “We don’t understand the language in which they sing and little we know about their roots, but the magic their voices create is unparalleled to anything we ever heard,” said Kerry Willings who was attending the festival for the first time.
“There are very rare opportunities like such that we get to know not just about the music but also how it was developed and a lot about the traditions and cultures of Rajasthan. This colourful tradition has a lot to offer,” said Jaswant Rathore from Bengaluru.
Brayan Wells who came for the first time with his family from Spain, said, “Out of the many music festivals I have been with, RIFF has been the best so far. The treasure of music hidden is something we never found anywhere .”
Amreik from Turkey said, “I wait for this festival throughout the year. I have been coming here for the 8th time but still regrets the one time I missed. Everytime there is something more and new to this festival. The story telling sessions this time have told so much about the folk legacy and it is like the more I get to know about this culture, the more I feel like to know.”
“The instruments they play are so different and unheard. like I heard the instrument called morchang. The sound of it was completely melodious and so different. I was an EDM fan but it's over for me now,”laughed Kelly Stein, who came to the festival with her college friends.