ANNUAL REPORT 2013

The last one year has been quite a productive year for JVF. We have done quite a few projects in the past twelve months. We have also built up new relationships with other organizations run by likeminded people. Given below is a brief of the different projects and activities undertaken by JVF.

MANGANIYAR MILAN UTSAV – Hamira village, Jaisalmer

April 3 - 4, 2013

Over the years, the Foundation has presented the Manganiyar artists at the Jaipur Heritage International Festival and the Jodhpur RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival). While working with the community, we felt that it was very important for us to understand all the traditions of this caste and community. The Manganiyar artists also felt a need for the persons of their caste and community to be able to get together at some place to meet and interact and discuss with each other. So, we decided to do a get together of all the Manganiyars at Hamira village, Jaisalmer. The first Manganiyar Folk artists get together was organized in 2012 in association with the Manganiyar Lok Sangeet Sansthan, Hamira, and Jaisalmer.

This year again, we organized the Manganiyar Milan Utsav in Hamira and it was attended by approx. 120 Manganiyars from the Jaisalmer and Barmer district.

Another interesting part of the get together, was a show put up by the Meghwals of the area. When the Meghwals got to know that we were arriving in Hamira, they all gathered at our hotel and showcased their traditional singing.

TAMASHA OF JAIPUR, Ambikeshwar Temple, Amber April 8, 2013

Tamasha is a traditional performing art of Jaipur and Amber. It was patronized by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh (1835 – 1880) of Jaipur. He had invited the Bhatt family of Amber to be a part of the Maharaja’s ‘Gunijankhana’.

JVF has been working closely with the Bhatt family to preserve the age old tradition of Jaipur. Earlier JVF had worked with late Shri Gopi Bhatt and now we are working with his son Dilip Bhatt and his organization ‘Parampara Natya Samiti, Jaipur.

Tamasha called ‘Gopi Chand Bhartari’ is organized 15 days after Holi at Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple, Amber. Like every year, in 2013 also, JVF financially supported the Tamasha performance. It was also attended by the office team. 1

BARMER REGIONS’ ARTISTS GET TOGETHER – Shiv, Barmer June 21, 2013

For the past two years, the Foundation has been organizing a Manganiyar get together in Hamira, Jaisalmer. This get together is attended by Manganiyars of Jaisalmer. Though a few Manganiyars of Barmer were invited for the get together, the Manganiyars in Jaisalmer avoid calling the Manganiyars of Barmer. Therefore, a few Manganiyars of the Barmer region got in touch with JVF and asked for a get together to be organized in Barmer for the Manganiyar artists of the Barmer Region.

From March 2013, we started collecting information about the artists of the Barmer region. During this process, we decided that it was important to personally meet and witness the talent of the artists in the Barmer Region. With the help of a local organization, Dharohar Lokgeet Sansthan, Shiv, Barmer, we planned an artists’ get together of the Barmer region. It included artists from all the communities of the region. It was not limited to the Manganiyars of the region. The responsibility of organizing the venue, boarding & lodging, etc was with Dharohar Lokgeet Sansthan, Shiv. With mutual understanding, the date for the get together was decided June 21, 2013.

The different artists/ communities that showcased their performances included, Manganiyar Vocal traditions, Poetry by Dhadhi Community, Pabuji ka Phad and Bheel Bhope, Morchang and its traditional way of playing, Kathaa baat with Kamaycha, Sufi singers of the area, tradition – Manganiyar with Meghwals, Surnai Langa and their instruments, Senior Kamaycha artists of the region and the Dhol traditions of the Manganiyar community.

GAALIBAAZI PERFORMANCE, Jaipur July 7, 2013

Gaalibaazi is a more than 150 years old tradition of the Jaipur city. The particular time of the year when Gaalibaazi was organized, was after Holi in March and till Dusshehra in October. Traditionally, there were many Akhadas which practiced and performed Gaalibaazi. In recent times, there are only 14 Akhadas left and out of these 14 only 4 – 5 are actively functioning in it. Originally, Gaalibaazi was organized at the main crossroads of the walled city and the program would happen only at night after 10p.m. and go on till the wee hours of the morning. Over the past few years, Gaalibaazi is being organized during daytime because of the Supreme Court order which does not allow the use of sound systems after 10p.m.

Like every year, this year as well JVF agreed to support the Gaalibaazi performance. It was scheduled for July 7, 2013 and was organized in association with Gaur Vipra Bhajan Evam Lokgeet Sansthan, Jaipur. This year the program was organized at Badrinathji Temple in Amber City. Badrinathji Temple is more than 700 years old temple and belongs to the Moortikar Samaj of Jaipur. The temple committee was originally not very keen to allow the organization of the performance but since JVF had good relations with them, we were able to convince them to allow the performance to happen. The Gaalibaazi performance was between 1p.m. – 6p.m., followed by a prasadi of Daal, baati and churma for all. The performance was well accepted by the audience.

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MOMASAR FESTIVAL October 10, 2013

Momasar is a five hundred year old village, 260kms north-west from Jaipur and 100kms from Bikaner district head quarter, in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan with a population of approx. 12,000 people belonging to different castes. Momasar is famous for its Geendar festival which happens during Holi every year.

The association of JVF started in 2004 when a team from JVF, along with a few guests, visited Momasar to attend the Geendar Festival. This year the festival was to be organized in Momasar for the third consecutive year. Since the festival was growing and the village Panchayat and the village persons were more eager to support, we started planning for the festival in early April 2013. We started discussions and talks with some of old associates of JVF and started discussing about the festival. We spoke to Momasar Panchayat and Momasar festival organizing Committee as well. Since the festival is growing, and the expenses were bound to increase, we started looking for sponsors for the festival. For this purpose, we got in touch with the department of Art and Culture, Govt. of Rajasthan, Mr. Sundeep Bhutoria , (Founder Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Rajasthan Forum), Chairman of Academy, Jodhpur. A letter along with the previous year Momasar festival report and other details were sent to these prospective sponsors. A tentative festival schedule was drafted in September and shown to the prospective sponsors including Mr. Sundeep Bhutoria, ICCR, Jaipur, Sangeet Natak Academy, Jodhpur and Principal Secretary, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan.

A positive response was received from Mr. Sundeep Bhutoria and he agreed to sponsor the festival to the amount of Rs. 2.5 lakhs under his company Shree Cement Limited. Shree Cement limited collaborated with JVF as a corporate sponsor for Momasar festival 2013. Momasar Festival, this year, was presented as Shekhawati Utsav, Momasar. A new slot was added to the regular program. We organized a Baal – Mela during the day time where we had presented the non –stage performing arts including Nat, Kachhi Ghodi, Jugglers, Jaadugar, etc. The Baal Mela was attended by approx. 3,000 children from 10 schools in Momasar and nearby villages. The Momasar festival as a whole presented more than 200 artists from all over Rajasthan. For the first time this year, Doordarshan recorded the Shekhawati Utsav and it was telecasted nationally on Doordarshan.

The festival witnessed an audience of approx. 12,000 – 15,000 people. The audience included people from nearby villages.

JODHPUR RIFF October 17 – 21, 2013

Jodhpur RIFF celebrates roots music from and around the world at the Meherangarh Fort. Now in its seventh year, RIFF continues to present some of Rajasthan’s finest traditional performers alongside exceptional artists from around the globe. Among its various strands, a 3

prominent focus this year was an exceptional musician community of the region, the Manganiyar of Marwar of whom very little is known. Through featured performances across the festival and a dedicated interactive session, Jodhpur RIFF facilitated a better knowing of this community.

Jodhpur RIFF also presented living legends from around the world – Manu Chao La Ventura, the Gypsy all Stars led by Cedric Leonardi, Mario Reyes & Antonia Carmona and Daud Khan Sadozai alongside exceptional young talents such as Linda Gytri, James Mackintosh, SPIRO, Rizwan – Muazzam, Jeff Lang and young DJs Jus Now and Maga Bo, among others.

This year RIFF presented a different genre of music – Bhojpuri music. Kalpana Patowary, the famous singer for Bhojpuri songs presented the Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur. A few movies directed by Ms. Surabhi Sharma about the Bhojpuri travelers were also screened during the festival. This year, RIFF was visited by more than 1200 – 1500 persons. We sold donor passes worth Rs. 32.5 Lakhs approximately.

This year also marked the second phase of a relationship begun last year between Jodhpur RIFF and Celtic Connections (Scotland) the largest winter folk music festival in the northern hemisphere. We also began a fresh partnership with Norway.

CELTIC CONNECTIONS AND SHOWCASE SCOTLAND, Glasgow

January 21 – 26, 2014

Two years back from now, in January 2012, Mr. John Singh and Mr. Divya Bhatia had attended the Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland. This visit gave rise to a new partnership between Scotland and Jodhpur RIFF. Under this partnership, it was decided that Jodhpur RIFF would invite Scottish artists to perform at the festival and Celtic Connections in Glasgow will invite RIFF artists to perform at Celtic Connections. This was a good way of cultural exchange. 4

In October 2012, RIFF invited a few Scottish artists to perform at Jodhpur RIFF 2012. The same year, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister of Culture for Scotland also visited and attended Jodhpur RIFF. During her visit, a MOU was signed by her and HH Gaj Singhji, in the presence of the Artistic Director for RIFF and Celtic Connections, Glasgow, Mr. Divya Bhatia and Mr. Donald Shaw, respectively. The MOU was for our mutual understanding and to promote cultural exchange between the two countries. It was also decided that in the year 2014, India along with Australia would be a focus country during Showcase Scotland and Jodhpur RIFF would be the festival of choice from India. Showcase Scotland is organized as a part of Celtic Connections, wherein, each year, there is a focus country and the focus country is given an opportunity to present artists from its country to the many delegates from around the world who have come to attend the Showcase Scotland. These delegates belong to the music industry from around the world and are festival directors, venue holders, other stakeholders who have the capacity and authority to book artists for further shows.

For the past two years, Mr. Donald Shaw, the Artistic Director for Celtic Connections, Glasgow had been attending Jodhpur RIFF and he closely watched all the performance. He, along with Divya, decided on presenting two groups at the Celtic Connections 2014 and the same two groups also were to be a part of the Showcase Scotland. The two artist groups that were chosen included, Parveen Sabrina Khan along with Hameed Khan on and Chanan Khan Manganiyar on Kamaycha and the Maru Tarang Project which includes Asin Khan on and vocals, Bhungar Khan on Khartal and two Australian Artists, Jeff Lang and Bobby Singh.

The dates for the performance were decided and the preparations for the trip to festival began. Both the groups had two performances each, the details of which are mentioned below:

Parveen Sabrina Khan along with Hameed khan and Chanan Khan Manganiyar 22nd January – Old Fruit Market 25th January – Tron Theatre

The Maru Tarang Project 23rd January – Glasgow Royal Concert Halls 25th January – The National Piping Centre

In addition to presenting the two groups of artists, we also had an opportunity of a display stall at the trade fair of Showcase Scotland for half a day on 24th January. We had a stall for Jodhpur RIFF, where we promoted Jodhpur RIFF as a festival and also promoted the two artists group that were presented at Celtic Connections.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

PARTICIPATION IN THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF RAVINDRA MANCH August 15, 2013 – August 15, 2014

Ravindra Manch is celebrating its Golden jubilee. The Ravindra Manch Golden Jubilee Celebrations committee contacted JVF to become a part of the celebrations. They had a meeting with our Managing Trustee, Dr. Rima Hooja and it was decided that JVF will assist in programming. It was agreed that JVF will organize approx. 3 -4 programs through the year. Ravindra Manch will not be paying JVF for this.

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The first performance, Qawwalli, on behalf of JVF, was organized on November 16, 2013. Ghulam Hussain from Jaipur was the main artist.

Braj Lokrang, Deeg, Bharatpur September 6, 2013

Like every year, this year also, JVF financially supported one of the folk evenings at the Deeg Festival. Naveen and Neeraj traveled to Deeg for the festival and supervised and coordinated the folk performances on 6th September at the Deeg Festival. Approx. 100 folk artists were presented at the festival.

DIGGI MELA, DIGGI October

On request of Shri Ram Pratapji Diggi, the team from JVF visited Diggi to attend the annual Diggi Mela. Diggi Mela is an annual event and many teams of Kachhi Ghodi from the region and all over Rajasthan attend the Mela. The Mela was a good opportunity for us to make a listing of all the teams.

INTERNATIONAL SUFI FESTIVAL, DIGGI PALACE, JAIPUR October 20 – 22, 2013

JVF organized two days concert as a part of the International Sufi Festival held at Diggi Palace from October 20 - 22, 2013. The festival was organized by Foundation of SAARC writers and Literature SAARC Apex Body in collaboration with Diggi Palace, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan, ICCR, Arpana Caur, Rajasthan Patrika, Jaipur Virasat Foundation, Jaipur Shopping Festival, Swishin, and Global Arts Foundation Jaipur. Since the dates clashed with Jodhpur RIFF, all the artist management and handling, from our end, was done by Neeraj Kadela.

BOOK LAUNCH OF SHRI GOPAL PRASAD MUDGAL November 17, 2013

JVF in collaboration with Rajasthan Forum and Siyahi organized a book launch on 17th November at ITC Rajputana Sheraton. Shri Gopal Prasad Mudgal‘s book was launched. The session was very interactive and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

JAIPUR TAB AUR AB – A TALK SHOW November 23, 2013

On the occasion of 'Jaipur Foundation Week' , JVF in collaboration with Rajasthan Forum and Siyahi, organized a talk show ' Jaipur Tab aur Ab' at Hotel Rajputana Sheraton. We conceptualized the talk content and decided on the speakers - the speakers are legends from Jaipur. We can call them City Father. The speakers included Shri Kalanath Shastri, Dr. Raghunath Prasad Tiwari, Dr. Govind Sharma and Shri Prakash Chandra Chhabraji.

KOTHARI WEDDING CELEBRATIONS December 26, 2013 The well known Kothari family of Jaipur had a wedding in their family in December. The family got in touch with JVF to organize a cultural program for the wedding. It was a gala event which was attended by about 2,000 guests from all over the world. It was an immense success and the folk 6

artists’ performance was loved by all. The artists performed at Kotharigarh as a part of the gala celebrations.

ARTISTS PRESENTED AT RAIPUR January 24, 2014 A family in Raipur got in touch with JVF and wanted us to organize a cultural evening for a wedding in their family in Raipur. We sent out 14 artists to Raipur and their performance was successful and appreciated by all.

MOU WITH MAHARAJA SAWAI MAN SINGH II MUSEUM TRUST, CITY PALACE, JAIPUR

After many discussions with the Directors and Trustees of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum trust, JVF has entered into an MOU with the trust for the Jaipur Heritage Walk. Though the MOU has been signed, the implementation is still to be done.

Increasing JVF outreach in Jaipur

In the past one year, JVF’s outreach in the city has increased. JVF has financially supported a few theatre festivals of the city. The theatre festivals include, Rang Mahotsav, Rang Sartaj, Parampara Rang Mahotsav, etc.

POSSIBLE WORK FOR INTACH

JVF has been approached by INTACH to undertake the 'Cultural Mapping and Documentation of Performing Folk Arts and Artist Groups in the Shekhawati region'. This is very much up our street, quite a bit of what is required is something we have done in a slightly different manner. This would be a large project for us – almost 25 lakhs worth. The proposal has been submitted to their Head Office and we are awaiting their response.

Coordination with Padam Vibhushan Pandit Ram Narayanji

Coordination with Padam Vibhushan Pandit Ram Narainji and took care of him in Jaipur from his arrival in Jaipur to his departure from Jaipur. An evening of his performance was organized by Prabha Khaitan foundation and Siyahi with support from Hotel Marriott in Jaipur.

WEBSITE

Approx. 100 videos have been uploaded on YouTube in JVF account.

JVF has almost 3-4 times the amount that have been uploaded as yet and we hope in the next 10- 12 months to be able upload most of these. One or more videos of all artists performing in Rajasthan, regardless of whether they have worked with JVF or not.

It will also have small films covering all activities done by JVF – RIFF Festivals/Village Festivals

It will cover every folk instrument and who plays it, with videos of the artists. It will also have facilities to locate artists either through area or instrument played. Articles on communities, instruments etc of all aspects of folk culture. It will also have links to all involved with the folk culture of Rajasthan – Record companies, Festivals organizers etc

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JVF OFFICE

We are all well settled in the new premises – a very special thanks to Rampratap Singh of Diggi for letting us have these valuable premises available to us for free. He visits us almost every week to see that we are comfortable and encourage us in our work.

ARTIST RECORDINGS AT JVF OFFICE

We have a large amount of people connected with either the music or poetry etc of Rajasthan visits us at the office – as a matter of policy, we try and video record them.

Shri Gopal Prasad Mudgal, Braj region – Poetry Shri Chandrabhan Verma, Bharatpur – Poetry Guddu Nat with two other artists – Nat acrobat performance Mahipal Nat – acrobat performance Mashak artists – Shrawan Gegawat, Amar Singh and Jitendra – Rajendra Kumar Parihar and Naushad Nagada - Shubham Rana Ram Prasadji – storyteller from Jaipur Shri Bhungar Manganyar (Khartal, Talo ka Gaon), Shri Nehru Manganyar (Vocal + harmonium, Jalela), Shri Pappa Khan Manganiyar (Dholak, Bhinyad, Shiv), Shri Asin Langa (Sarangi, Badnawa, Barmer) Jaipur’s best Nagara artists - Shri Shivji Dholi (Main artist, Jaipur), Shri Bannaram Dholi (Nagada, Bagru), Shri Budhi Prakash (Nagada, Vatika), Shri Raju Dholi (Nagada, Jobner), Shri Jagdish Dholi (Shehnai, Vatika) Kalu Nath Jogi & Group Ismail Langa & Party Bhungar Khan Manganiyar & Party Mehruddin Langa (Surinda, Algoza, Sarangi, Morchang) Suganath Jogi & Pratap Jogi

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