Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival (JFG Festival) is a three day musical carnival celebrated to promote the association of Rajasthani folk musicians with legendary flamenco and gypsy artists dwelling all around the globe. It creates a common platform for the musicians and dancers hailing from different regions to share their creativities with the world. The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan and focuses on enriching the folk music. It is an effort to keep the tradition of folk music alive in India and enlightening a contemporary view about the desert music and dance. It also aims at tracing the journey of Rajasthani and North Indian gypsies through years and invites the gypsies from different regions to enliven their ancestral roots.
Origin of Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival
Various genetic studies and researches suggest that the Romani people or the gypsy community all around the world have their origin enrooted in ancient India. Flamenco in fact refers to a form of Spanish folk music and dance that is generally linked with the Romani community of Spain, also called as Gitanos. Gypsies are the nomads belonging to North- Western India originally, who have migrated towards western countries thousand years ago. They have attained huge famed since centuries for their exceptional artistic abilities, especially dance and music. Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival is organized to magnificently celebrate the voyages of nomadic communities along with their cultural evolution.
Features of Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival
JFG Festival is organized by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The first edition of the event was celebrated Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur from March 13 to 15. Apart form local Rajasthani artists, the festival is also attended by a plethora of international artists who create an enthralling aura in the festival. Intriguing aspects are often explored in the event like the stark similarity between the dance forms flamenco and Kathak. It also features the unknown association of Rajasthani music and ethnicity with flamenco music and gypsy culture. It is accredited as the first of its kind dance and music festival of the country. The 2014 JFG Festival was celebrated from 13th to 15th March and Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, forms the venue for this vibrant celebration.
