• Know about the Sacred Spirit Festival Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur that will be held from February 10-23 in 2023.

The festival shall be held from February 10-12, 2023. Artists from India, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, France, Turkey, Greece and many others to present soulful music

Jodhpur, India. Presented by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, the Sacred Spirit Festival (SSF) brings together musical talents from different parts of the world and showcases the spiritual and sacred music traditions that transcends communities, cultures, and faith. The aim of the Sacred Spirit Festival is to bring together diverse soulful music traditions at a common platform and to conserve these rich oral traditions existing across the globe.

Announcing the upcoming edition of SSF, H.H. Maharaja Gajsingh II of Marwar - Jodhpur, Patron of the festival said, “After a gap of two years due to the COVID pandemic, we are happy to announce that the 14th edition of the Sacred Spirit Festival will be organized from 10th to 12th February 2023 at the majestic venue; Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. During the tough days of COVID pandemic, we all realized at our homes in isolation that music provides us sustenance and is a way towards meditation. Music also has the power to heal our mind, body and soul. Once again artists from different parts of the world will unite under the umbrella of SSF on a platform to celebrate the diverse spiritual and sacred musical traditions such as Sufi, Bhakti and Devotional. We are proud that these musical amalgamations between our folk musicians and international artists have produced an enthralling unique music experience.

Over a period of years, we have seen exponential growth of Music Tourism and a proliferation of music festivals in India. We are glad to know that the travelers who follow music festivals around the globe are excited to attend this festival with several expert aficionados. The festival has been exclusively curated with an outstanding artists’ line-up by our Festival Directors; Princess Shivranjani Rajye, Alexandra De Cadaval and Artistic Director; Alain Weber.”

Like every year, the 2023’s edition too, will bring some of the unique musicians to the majestic venue of Mehrangarh Fort where the audience will witness an unforgettable musical journey. With performances lined up at various historical spaces inside and surrounding the Fort, the festival is definitely going to be a magical and enthralling experience. 

Announcing the Artist line - up, Alain Weber, Artistic Director of the festival said, “This edition will be unique in various aspects as we will pay tribute to women creativity where Silk Road Dance Company, Uzbekistan will collaborate with Rajasthani Kalbeliya Dancers. We will also have the performance of Hatan women ensemble from Mongolia, and Anuradha Pal and her ensemble of women musicians from India. U.P.Raju and U.Nagamani, electric mandolin musicians and their family will also perform at the festival. Dr Jyotsna Srikanth, one of the most influential contemporary artists of the south Indian Carnatic musical tradition, will perform with Jean-Pierre Smadja (Smadj).” 

“World renowned artist, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Justin Adams - Electric guitarist, Master Divana Ensemble with Padmashree Anwar Khan, Gazi Khan, Feiruz Khan, and group, Carnatic classical flutist; J.A. Jayanth, Multi- instrumentalist; Loup Barrow, and Akshay Anantapadmanabhan, among many other musicians will be performing at the festival”, added Alain Weber. 

Some of the performers for upcoming SSF, 2023 edition are:

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Mohan Veena

Salil Bhatt and Atharva Bhatt, Mohan Veena

Muzafar Rehman, Tabla

Justin Adams, Electric guitar

Sonam Kalra

Madan Gopal Singh and Chaar Yaar Ensemble

Master Divana Ensemble with Anwar Khan, Gazi Khan, Feiruz Khan, Ghewar Khan, Mehardeen Khan Langa.

Loup Barrow - Cristal Baschet

Flute J.A. Jayanth – Bansuri Carnatic flute

Akshay Anantapadmanabhan, Mridangam

Uzbek Bokhor Dance Company

Rajasthan Kalbelia Dance with Suva Devi, Alka Devi

Hatan Women Ensemble from Mongolia

Anuradha Pal and the Stree Shakti Rythmic Indian traditions

Derya Türkan, Turkey

Sokratis Sinopoulos, Greece

U.P.Raju, U.Nagamani, U.JayaVigneshwar, U.Subramania Raju, Mandolin

Madipakkam P.Suresh, Mridhangam

Mr N.Rajaraman, Ghatam

Dr Jyotsna Srikanth, Carnatic Violin

Smadj, Ud and electronics

For more details, click on the following link below

Festival website - http://worldsacredspiritfestival.org

Mehrangarh Museum Trust website - http://mehrangarh.org

About Mehrangarh Museum Trust

Mehrangarh Museum Trust is India’s leading cultural institution and centre of excellence, established in 1972 by the 36th Custodian of Marwar- Jodhpur; H. H. Maharaja Gaj Singh II, who brought the fort alive to visitors.

Today Mehrangarh Museum has a unique importance as a repository of the artistic and cultural history of the large areas of Central Rajasthan and Marwar-Jodhpur, ruled by the Rathore Dynasty. Apart from the Museum, the Trust is at the forefront of conservation and restoration, a generous patron of the arts and music and a lively centre of academic study.

The Mehrangarh Museum Trust’s commitment and perseverance towards the conservation and rehabilitation of the Fort sets a unique example in the field of Historic rehabilitation. Mehrangarh Museum Trust is a recipient of the UNESCO ASIA-PACIFIC Award in the field of architectural conservation, cultural heritage and adaptive reuse, Award of Distinction by UNESCO in 2005, FassaBortolo Italy in 2011 and Hadrian Award in 2006 by World Monuments Fund. Ahhichatragarh Fort, Nagaur managed by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust was shortlisted for the famous Aga Khan Award for Architecture. 

The trust exhibited an incredible exhibition “Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle and at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.The exhibition was cited as “Best show 2018” by the Washington Post.

Also see albums

1. Mehrangarh Fort

2. Heritage Walk Mehrangarh Fort

3. People of Marwar

4. Dhurries buy close to Jodhpur

5. Mandore Fort

6. Jodhpur RIFF 2009 super pics

7. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur