MUMBAI: With the live music scene in India receiving a major boost through several national and international acts, the first global music, culture and arts festival ‘Ragasthan’ is set to enthrall music aficionados in the country.

Set amidst the Thar Desert, the fest will be held from 16-18 November and will feature a range of performances from national and international rock, metal and electronica bands like Parikrama, Advaita, Brahma, Shiva Sound System (UK), Mother Perera (Berlin), Chalo Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Negra Pradera (Latin Salsa Flamenco), Kalbeliya Ghoomar and Mame Khan (Rajasthan).

The music scene will comprise of four stages catering to various genres which will see a host of renowned bands spread over three days. The first stage ‘Morio’ (Peacock) will cater to the rock, pop and alternative genre featuring Parikrama, Advaita, Brahma, Menwhopause, Them Clones, Sky Rabbit and Peter Cat Recording Co. ‘Ammara’ (The Open Sky)will witness Shiva Sound System, Dualist Inquiry, Bay Beat Collective, NUcleya, Kohra and Uri spinning electronic, experimental, progressive, trance, DNB and psychedelic tracks.

The third stage ‘Olun’ (Local Folk Songs) will play folk and world music with bands including Swarathma, Rajasthan Roots, Chalo Africa, Negra Pradera, Reggae Rajahs and Mame Khan. The fourth stage titled ‘Open Mic’ will provide a platform to original songwriters, composers and acoustic bands from across the country to showcase their undiscovered talent. The performers for this stage comprise of Shantanu Pandit, Harbour Light, Alisha Pais and Winit Tikkoo Band.

The fest has also organized a special road trip with the performing bands who will depart from two cities – Mumbai and Delhi, playing to crowds in cities and towns along the way. They will also meet underprivileged children and visit old age homes as part of their journey to spread music and smiles as they donate musical instruments as well as jam with them. Each convoy will also carry with it a crew of bloggers, tweeters, film-makers and photographers chosen through social media contests. The lucky winners will get to travel with the bands on the road trip to the festival while documenting the experience.

Sci-Fi Film Festival UK director and special guest Louis Savvy said, “I am so excited to be part of the Ragasthan festival. Apart from the stellar line-up of world music, the art and the other activities, I also have the chance to show some cool movies in the sand dunes at midnight, which is simply awesome.”

The fest is endorsed and supported by the ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations), The Ministry of Culture, Incredible India, The Embassy of Iceland and the Narcotics Control Bureau with a special cross cultural exchange program with one of Europe’s biggest music festival – Exit. It is powered by MTV India and Vh1 while the digital OOH aspect are undertaken by OOH Media.

The fest will enable enthusiasts to listen to live music, watch movies outdoors, participate in workshops and camp on-site amongst a host of other activities. ‘Ragasthan’ aims to discover, support and showcase sustainable collaborative initiatives between musicians, literary figures, nature conservationists and heritage experts within India and across the globe.