11th Jodhpur RIFF to bring together folk and int'l music

The 11th edition of the annual Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) will begin on October 5, under a full moon sky at the historic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
The festival will bring together the melodic folk tunes of India's royal state and music from across the world with collaborated performances, artistes interactions and demonstrations.
"Rajasthani folk musicians are at the heart of Jodhpur RIFF. Their traditions are acknowledged and celebrated at the festival.
"They benefit from growth and exposure through high- quality international collaborations as well as through our efforts to present them in festivals in India and across the globe," Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur, chief patron of the festival said.

The festival will feature over three hundred and fifty Rajasthani and international musicians including famous Manganiyar singer and musician Nihal Khan, Kamaycha players Ghewar Khan and Darra Khan and folk singer Babunath Jogi.
As part of the 'UK-India Year of Culture 2017', The Spree (Paisley) twins will perform at the opening concert on October 6 along with Ross Ainslie who will lead the collaboration featuring fiddle player and composer Angus Lyon, Hindustani vocalist Smita Bellur and Sindhi Sarangi master Asin Langa.

Performing in two languages, Gaelic and Marwari, a collaboration of Scottish band Shooglenifty and Marwari group Dhun Dhora will mark the premiere of their upcoming music album at the festival.

The album will be recorded and filmed in Scotland and India and will be released in 2018.
Musicians and singers from Rajasthan's Bhil tribe will also present their traditional folk music at the Jodhpur RIFF.
The festival will also host performances by Brazilian band Bixiga 70, gypsy jazz musician Nicotine Swing, and famous Spanish guitarist Paco Renteria among others.
The folk music festival will come to a close on October 9.