JVF ACTIVITY REPORT APRIL 2014 – MARCH 2015
Tamasha Performance April 2, 2014
In performance: Tamasha
Jaipur Virasat Foundation assists in the organization of Tamasha as it is a traditional performing art of Jaipur which is nearing extinction. It has lost all its audience as the younger generation does not understand it and does not connect with it. It is very important to organize atleast one program in a year of otherwise it will be completely forgotten.
Tamasha is organized at a particular time of the year and at a particular place of the city. This year again, at the end of March, JVF partially financially supported the Tamasha performance. It was organized at Ambikeshwar Mandir Chowk in Amber.
Heritage walk on the occasion of World Heritage Day April 18, 2014
On the occasion of World Heritage Day on 18th April, we organised a heritage walk from New Gate to City Palace. It was a collective effort of INTACH, Sawai Mansingh Museum Trust - City Palace and Jaipur Virasat Foundation. We invited city's key people from music, dance, sports, poetry, painting, sculptors, writers, students, cultural instituitions, architects, etc. Approx. 100 people participated in the walk. This included 4 Padamshree award winners and 3 National Award winners. We got good support from local residents as well. They did garlanding for the guests and petals showering after tea - coffee, etc. It was widely covered by the media. Gaalibaazi Performance May 10, 2014
In performance: Gaalibaazi
JVF, along with Gaur Vipra Lokgeet Mandal, jointly organised Gaalibaazi at Kalyug Halwai ka Chauraha, Khunteton ka Raasta, Kishanpol Bazaar on 10th May 2014. After four years, Gaalibaazi akhara representatives and local residents requested us to organise it locally as it used to happen earlier on cross roads at night 10p.m. onwards till early morning. Due to a Supreme Court judgement, we clearly communicated to the groups that we cannot use a sound system late at night, and they agreed on it. Due to this, we did not need to take any kind of official permission. 5 groups participated in it and it came out very well. A very good audience attended and enjoyed the event.
Forde Festival, Norway July 2 – 7, 2014
Artist Bhanwari Devi along with her two sons – Inder and Krishna, and Ram Kumar Bhopa travelled to Forde Festival, Norway as a Jodhpur RIFF presentation. The Festival Director of the Forde Festival had attended RIFF 2013 and had invited RIFF to present a few artists at the Forde Festival. Mr. Divya Bhatia, Festival Director, Jodhpur RIFF, travelled to Norway along with the artists. Mr. Bhatia also attended a conference there which was a part of the festival. The overall trip was excellent and the Rajasthani artists’ performance received a very good feedback.
Commonwealth Games, Glasgow July 18 – 26, 2014
Celtic Connections, Glasgow invited four Manganiyar dhol artists from Rajasthan to play with Shooglenifty during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The artists had two shows – one performance for BBC and the other for Commonwealth Games. Their performance was very well received and one of its kind.
The same group, Shooglenifty, was invited to Jodhpur RIFF 2014. In Jodhpur, they collaborated with a few more Rajasthani artists and the performance was fantastic. After RIFF, four Rajasthani artists along with the Shooglenifty performed at Taj Palace in New Delhi as well.
Manganiyar dhol drummers rehearsing with Shooglenifty, Scotland
Visit of Uplagarh village, District Sirohi July 25 – 27, 2014
JVF team along with Mr. John Singh visited the village Uplagarh in Sirohi district in the month of July. The trip was planned to meet one of the most colorful tribes of Rajasthan – Garasiya. It helped us to understand their art-form, community and village settlement. This was our first interaction with them.
The team met approx. 25 artists and their community along with the village sarpanch. These artists were then presented at the Shekhawati Utsav – Momasar and Jodhpur RIFF.
Tribal artists at village Uplagarh
Rhythm of Rajasthan July 30 – August 1, 2014
JVF team conceptualized a new performance product called ‘Rhythm of Rajasthan’. It was an experimental project to create a collaboration of the classical Pakhawaj with folk percussion instruments which included khartal, sarangi, dhol, kamaycha, morchang, dholak and bhapang. Pandit Parveen Arya, pakhawaj player from Jaipur, spent two full days rehearsing with Folk artists to come up with a beautiful product called the ‘Rhythm of Rajasthan’. The rehearsals were all done at the Anokhi Farm and the final product was presented to a small audience in Diggi Palace. The performance was very well received and then was presented at Jodhpur RIFF and also for a gathering of Leaders Quest in Samode.
With financial support from Mr. John Singh, it was possible to come up with this product. We would like to thank him for the same.
Shekhawati Utsav – Momasar September 24, 2014
This is the fourth year in continuity when JVF has organized the Regional festival in Momasar. The Momasar festival this year was bigger than any of the previous years – bigger because of the total number of artists presented at the festival (Baal Mela – 29 artists, Artists from Shekhawati Region – 70, Artists from other regions of Rajasthan – 132).
In performance: bail Nritya at momasar festival
Baal Mela was organized during the day time for the school children of the area. Approx. 3000 children attended the Baal Mela and 29 artists participated in it.
The evening performances saw artists from all over Rajasthan presenting their art-forms. It was a colorful evening and well attended by an audience of 10,000 – 13,000 persons from nearby 25 villages and cities.
Shekhawati Utsav – Momasar received very good coverage in media at local as well as state level. It was telecast LIVE on Doordarshan. It was for the first time in the history of Doordarshan that such a program was telecast LIVE for four hours on DD Rajasthan.
The cost for the festival was at Rs. 8.50 Lakhs out of which we were successful in raising an amount of Rs. 5.20 Lakhs as donations
Jodhpur RIFF October 8 – 12, 2014
Like every year, we successfully delivered Jodhpur RIFF. Approx. 320 folk artists were presented at Jodhpur RIFF this year. International artists included artists from Scotland, Reunion Island, Netherlands, Senegal, Greece, Israel, Australia, etc.
The festival was very well accepted by the audience and left them asking for more.
The total donor pass sales for RIFF were at approx. Rs. 38 Lakhs.
Folk in the museum: Male dancers
SAARC Sufi Festival at Diggi Palace October 17 – 18, 2014
On request of Shri Ram Pratapji Diggi, JVF had invited 34 artists to perform during the SAARC Sufi Festival which was organized in Diggi Palace. The JVF team, including a few of our volunteers, managed the complete movement of the artists. The payment for this was done directly by Diggi Palace to the artists and the various other vendors. JVF facilitated the full process.
WOMEX 2014 October 21 – 26, 2014
Maru Tarang – a collaboration of two Rajasthani folk artists (Bhungar Manganiyar on khartal and Asin Langa on sarangi and vocals) with two Australian artists (Jeff Lang on guitar and vocals and Bobby Singh on Tabla), was invited to perform at WOMEX 2014 as a part of their showcase performances. Mr. Divya Bhatia, along with the Rajasthani artists, traveled to Spain to participate in WOMEX. Mr. Bhatia was also a speaker at a conference there. The performance was very well received and we are quite hopeful to get a few more collaborative programs in the near future. As of now, there is already an Australian tour planned for them in March.
Rhythm of Rajasthan presented for Leaders Quest in Samode November 2, 2014
Leaders Quest had contacted JVF to organize a cultural evening for their annual summit in Samode. We suggested them a performance of Rhythm of Rajasthan. After viewing a video recording of their performance, the organisers agreed to do it. JVF organized the performance of Rhythm of Rajasthan in Samode on 2 nd November. The program was successful and the organisers were happy with it.
Celtic Connections, Glasgow January 17 – 26, 2015
Manganiyar Dhol artistsat Celtic Connections, Glasgow
Celtic Connections, Glasgow invited four Manganiyar dhol artists from Rajasthan to play with Shooglenifty during the Celtic Connections in January 2015. The artists had a total of five shows – 3 performances were at different venues of the festival and two were small performances (one for a school and one for BBC). Their performance was very well received and one of its kind.
The same group, Shooglenifty, was invited to Jodhpur RIFF 2014. In Jodhpur, they collaborated with a few more Rajasthani artists and the performance was fantastic. After RIFF, four Rajasthani artists along with the Shooglenifty performed at Taj Palace in New Delhi as well.
Recording of a few artists by an artist from UK January 27 – 28, 2015
Simon Richmond and Sheema Mukherjee from UK requested JVF to facilitate recording of two sets of artists in a studio in Jaipur. Two groups of artists were selected by them – Jalal Manganiyar and accompanists and Bhanwari Devi and her accompanists. JVF facilitated the recordings. The artists were invited to Jaipur and each of the groups was recorded on two separate days in a studio in Jaipur. Simon and Sheema are working for a company called LUSH in UK.
RAAG RANG ROOP – Rhythms of Rajasthan January 17 – February 15, 2015
In performance: Dharohar during Raag Rang Roop
Jaipur is one of the most visited tourist cities of India and yet there seems a void of a cultural space, where one can experience the best of arts and culture. Keeping this in mind, JVF envisioned a concept wherein it would work towards creating a platform where the best of the performing arts and crafts of Rajasthan can be showcased. This would serve a dual purpose – firstly, provide a platform to the traditional Rajasthani artists and craftsmen to showcase their talent, and, secondly, be a place of visit for tourists as well as locals where they could get better awareness about the local traditions of Rajasthan.
A one month long program was conceptualized to include performing arts and crafts of Rajasthan. The program was designed in such a way that each group of artists performed continuously for a week.
To take this vision forward, JVF partnered with Gunijankhana, City Palace to execute this program. Raag Rang Roop – Rhythms of Rajasthan took off as a joint partnership between Jaipur Virasat Foundation and the Gunijankhana, City Palace. Gunijankhana provided the beautiful venue of Badal Mahal for the program. The responsibilities between both the organizations were divided – JVF was responsible for the performing arts and crafts of Rajasthan and Gunijankhana was responsible for the venue and the cuisine at the venue.
Rajasthani artists at the Festival of Sacred Music Thiruvaiyaru March 1 – 10, 2015
In performance: 45 Rajasthani artists at Kalyan Mahal on the banks of river Kaveri
Jaipur Virasat Foundation (JVF) was invited by Prakriti Foundation, a Chennai based not for profit organization, to present artists from Rajasthan at the Festival of Sacred Music, Thiruvaiyaru on the Cauvery. This is for the first time that artists from Rajasthan performed at the Sacred Music Festival. The artists’ line-up included most of the traditions of the Manganiyar community – Kamaycha, morchang, khartal, tandoora, dholak, dhol, vocals, etc. It was quite a challenging experience for us to synchronise 45 artists together and that too at a place which is many miles away from Rajasthan. We are proud and feel privileged to have been trusted by the festival organisers to do a program on such a large scale. A team of 53 persons, including 45 artists from Langa and Manganiyar community and 8 members of JVF team, traveled to the festival.
LIVE telecast of Geendar Festival of Momasar March 4, 2015
Geendar Festival is a yearly festival of Momasar. It happens just before the festival of Holi. Hundreds of locals dressup in disguise and get together and celebrate. Momasar Gram Panchayat and Momasar Mela Committee requested JVF to facilitate coordination with media for LIVE telecast of the festival. Zee Marudhara LIVE telecasted the festival for 2 hours and 30 minutes on 4 th March, 2015 from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
Geendar Fsetival, Momasar
Australia tour of Maru Tarang March 2 – 17, 2015
Maru Tarang is acollaboration between two Rajasthani artists - Asin Khan on Sarangi and vocals, Bhugra Khan on Khartaal and two Australian Artists, Jeff Lang on guitar and vocals and Bobby Singh on tabla. All the four artists have worked together very closely and this collaboration has earlier been presented at Parramasala Festival 2012, Australia, Jodhpur RIFF 2013, Jodhpur, Celtic Connections 2014, Glasgow and WOMEX 2014, Spain.
Maru Tarang: Rehearsals This collaboration traveled on a five city tour in Australia. The artists performed at the following festivals in Australia – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Camelot Lounge, Blue Mountains Folk Festival and Castlemaine State Festival. Mr. Divya Bhatia had accompanied the artists to Australia. The tour was successful and the performance was very well appreciated.
Constant updation of JVF website and youtube channel
The JVF office is visited by many folk artists on a daily basis. We try to audio and video record as many of them as possible. These recordings are then edited in house and then uploaded on youtube channel. A list of all the youtube videos along with their links is annexed to the report.
In addition to updating the JVF youtube channel, we also update the JVF website with artist profile so that they are easily accessible to the public via the web. A list of all the artists profiles already updated on the website is annexed to the report.
List of artist profiles updated on the JVF website
Bhanwari Devi http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Bhavri%20Devi.html
Jumma Yogi http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Bhapang2.htm
Sheru Khan Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Algoza.htm
Sugna Devi Kalbelia http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Sugna%20Devi%20Kalbelia.html
Jepu Khan Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Algoza1.htm
Kutla Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Dholak%204.htm
Kasam Khan http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Dholak2.htm
Manjoor Khan Manganiyaar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Dholak5.htm
Kohinoor Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Khartaal%20-1.htm
Bhanwru Khan Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Khartaal1.htm
Bhugra Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Khartaal2.htm
Ghulam Hussain http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Quawali.htm
Puran Nath Kalbelia http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Pungi.htm
Sardar Khan Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Sarangi%20Vocal.htm
Lakha Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Sarangi2.htm
Shamshuddin Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/sarangi5.htm
Pempe Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Shahnai.htm
Meheruddin Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Surinda2.htm
Nehru Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Vocal%20with%20Harmonium.htm
Dararam Bhand http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Vocal%20with%20Harmonium2.htm
Sumitra http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Vocal%20with%20Harmonium3.htm
Anwar Khan Manganiyar http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Vocal%20with%20Harmonium4.htm
Nek Mohammed Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/Vocal.htm
Mubarak Khan Langa http://www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org/vocalwithHarmonium.htm