8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Venue: Veer Durga Das Memorial Park
Entry Free (note: this event is only for schools)

Kathputli – String puppetry using wooden dolls or marionettes, the kathputli is performed on a miniature stage with highly dramatic narration and music, retelling stories that reflect pertinent social concerns or the valour of erstwhile kings. It was the most popular form of children’s entertainment and even though there are few accomplished practitioners left today, it continues to hold an iconic status in Rajasthan’s performing arts culture.
Ghoomer – ghoomer is a dance where women in their traditional ghagra (long swirling skirt) and choli (blouse) pirouette while moving in and out of a wide circle, to the tune of traditional songs and the rhythm of hands clapping. The word ‘ghoomna’ describes the twirling movement of the dancers and is the basis of the word ‘ghoomer’.
Kachchi Ghodi – A novel dance form performed on colourful dummy-horses.
Men in elaborate and embellished costumes dance rhythmically to beating drums, under a large umbrella chhatarkotla– while a singer narrates the exploits of the Bhavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Young Rajasthani musicians – For our young audiences we present young Rajasthani traditional musicians, who sing and play their instruments. Trained by their ustad, the budding young masters will share their music and hopefully, inspire school children as they continue to uphold the legacy of their forefathers.
Rajasthani Circus – India’s earliest circuses featured numerous traditional performing art forms from Rajasthan – acrobats, magicians, musicians, dancers and a variety of Bhawai artists performing daring feats. While it is rare to see such acts today, the Kawa circus and Jodhpur RIFF assemble some of the best artists still performing these forms, to re-create a traditional circus for our young audiences.
Bhapang – an unusual, single-stringed ‘talking drum’ is a classic folk instrument, particular to the Mewat region of Rajasthan. Coupled with equal parts music and hilarity, a group of talented bhapang artists will perform in unison for our young audiences.
Teraah Taali – Created and traditionally performed by the Kamad community, the performers in teraah taali move to the reverberating sounds of thirteen (teraah) cymbals or manjira that are fastened to their waist, wrists, elbows, and hands.This dance form is an electric mix of movement and sound and gives the unique impression that the dance itself is producing music instead of following music. Punctuated with displays of balancing multiple pots piled on a dancer’s head, holding a sword between one’s teeth or lit oil lamps on one’s palms, the teraah taali form is a unique demonstration of skill, agility and grace.
Behrupiya – Blending around 52 different art forms—acting, singing, dancing, imitation, Behrupiya brings to life epic tales from mythology, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The artists, known as Nakal or Nakalchi, are masters of disguise and impersonation.
Khari Dance – This enchanting dance form from Mewat revolves around a heartfelt dialogue between a couple. A frustrated wife, burdened by household chores, is tenderly reassured by her husband, vowing to ease her troubles. Central to this dance is the Khari, a wooden basket crafted from Tun wood, used by women to carry their belongings during travel.

7:30 PM 10:00 PM
Jaswant Thada Parking (TBC)
Entry Free and open to all

Heralding the beginning of Jodhpur RIFF, our opening night concert features a variety of riveting performances reflecting the diversity of traditional Rajasthani music, excerpts from performances by national and international artists, ending in an exhilarating finale with drummers and dancers. The concert opens with the unique vocals of mother-daughter duo Ganga & Sundar who are breaking gender and social norms by reclaiming their space in folk music. followed by a cool double act by Puulup from Estonia. The upbeat groovy sega tunes by Emlyn lead us into some sensational and dramatic percussion ensembles with emerging khartal and dholak masters of the Manganiyar community. After the dramatic collab between Giridhar Udupa’s ghatam and the Natig Shirinov Rhythm group, the finale brings on the legendary Kawa Brass Band, celebrating Rajasthan’s vibrancy and colour with trumpet, trombone, euphonium, clarinet and other instruments. Later, popular male dancer Ashok Pahadiya with the algoza party of Shekawati. take the stage. The night concludes with the surreal Agni Bhawai, a traditional fire eating and dance performance from the villages of northern Rajasthan, and the internationally acclaimed Dhol Drummers of Rajasthan.

Be ready for a splendorous start to Jodhpur RIFF 2024!