Jodhpur-based Mehrangarh Fort, which has housed festivals like Rajasthan International Folk Festival and World Sufi Festival, will be celebrating yet another festival which will highlight the Gypsy voyages. The three day music festival- Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy (JFG) Festival- will be held from 13 to 15 March, and will bring the best flamenco traditions to India and provide an opportunity for musicians from different Gypsy traditions.

Mehrangarh Museum Trust director Karni Singh Jasol shared with Radioandmusic.com the details about the festival and the message of the festival.

Excerpts:

How many artistes (From India and overseas) will perform?

In this festival, you will see enthralling performances by artists such as Pepe Habichuela, Josemi Carmona, Agustín Carbonell ‘Bola’, Carlos Pi?ana, Francisco Javier Pi?ana ‘Curro Pi?ana’, Cristóbal Mu?oz Fernández, Virginia Mu?oz Fernández, Karen Lugo, Indialucia, Flamenco Roots group and many more talented performers from across the globe.

What will be the pricing of the tickets?

The tickets range from Rs. 3000 to Rs 115000.

What is the capacity of the venue?

The venue for this festival is majestic Mehrangarh Fort and it can accommodate more than three thousand people

What is the role of the Spanish Embassy?

As you are aware that it is a joint initiative of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, the Fundacion Cante de las Minas and the Spanish Embassy wherein, the Embassy of Spain in India will encourage within its programs of cultural cooperation, the exchange and the participation of artists of both countries in the activities of the centre and a possible collaboration of Institutions such as Casa Asia and the Fundación Consejo Espa?a-India in this festival.

For how long has the planning been going on?

To preserve and promote the original richness of the musical traditions, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 13 May 2013 with the Fundación Cante de las Minas, and the Embassy of Spain in India and since then, the planning has been going on to make this festival a huge success.

Who are the various teams that are involved in the whole festival?

The Embassy of Spain in India, Fundacion Cante de las Minas, Mehrangarh Museum Trust and CRN productions are the major teams that are involved in making the festival happen smoothly.

How does such cultural initiative help our musical culture to flourish?

Culture is ever evolving, it is constantly changing, however it is important that we are aware of roots and keep the soul of our culture intact. Same is our folk musical traditions - while it is evolving, getting influenced by other genres - which is all good, but if it drifts too much from its roots, the soul will die, the spirit will die. Such cultural initiatives not only preserve its roots but also promote the musical culture globally.

Largely what is the message this festival is trying to spread?

As you are aware, Gypsies all over the world trace their lineage to India, with a significant wave migrating from Rajasthan. Even after centuries, the Rajasthani folk music and the Spanish Flamenco resonate with many common threads that when woven together will have potential of creating a unique experience. Considering that, we are going to bring this festival for the first time to Asia.

Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival aims to bring the best flamenco traditions to India and provide an opportunity for the musicians from different Gypsy tradition to collaborate, learn from each other and create beautiful music.