The Jodhpur Folk Festival aka the Rajasthan International folk festival (RIFF) is a joint initiative of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation, that began in the year 2007. It is a wonderful platform that commemorates not only India's rich musical heritage, but also international folk music.  It has known to host a whopping 250 or more musicians each year, who leave the audience mesmerized with their beautiful performances.

Held in the majestic Mehrangarh fort during the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima, the festival showcases unique and marvellous collaborations between Indian and international artistes, creating a lovely blend of different forms of the folk music. Moreover.

Several concerts andevents are organized within the fort, providing music enthusiasts and aficionados  the ultimate musical experience ever.  The fort is decorated intricately for the festival, and it provides a breathtaking ambience for the audience and performers, alike.

Tour of the Jodhpur Folk Festival

The Jodhpur folk festival is free platform for national and foreign folk musicians.  UNESCO has titled RIFF as Jodhpur RIFF  a “Peoples’ Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development.

The Mehrangarh Fort serves as the ideal venue for the Jodhpur Folk Festival. It is decorated wonderfully  each year in the month of October, specially for this event. Classical maestros light up the stage with their flawless performances.  The festival hosts a number of popular folk musical acts, musical fusions, and celebrated musicians. There are different days allotted for different forms of music such as Rajasthani music, jazz,  Indian classical music, tribal music, etc.  Workshops and musical sessions with children are also organized.  Choreographed dances add to the zest of  the musical performances as well. Facilities such as food stalls and musical exhibits are also provided to the guests.

Significance

Folk music and traditional art forms are fast disappearing in today's world where modern and contemporary art rules the roost. This non-profit endeavour has been created not only as a token of appreciation,  but also to remind music lovers that folk music has a charm and persona of its own, which needs to be kept alive even today.

How to Reach

By Rail

Jodhpur can be reached via direct trains from any of the metros of India, the nearest station being Delhi.

By Road

Private and government buses operating from Delhi and Jaipur, which will take 12 hours and 6 hours, respectively.

By Air

Flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Jodhpur can be used as mode of transport too.