ZEE JLF 2019: The Cultural Mix - A musical odyssey

As Jaipur gears up for the 12th edition of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, the Jaipur Music Stage, which runs parallel to the grand feast of ideas and literature, has a power-packed line-up of performances from January 24-27 at Hotel Clarks Amer. The artistes performing at the Jaipur Music Stage include the earthy and soulful Roohani Sisters; leading Carnatic and world music vocalist Mahesh Vinayakram in collaboration with Dub FX (Benjamin Stanford), the ever-popular and effervescent Punjabi folk singer Jasbir Jassi in a never-seen-before collaboration with Kutle Khan, folk-rock legends Indian Ocean, violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam, Shillong-based blues act Soulmate, and techno masters MidivalPunditz.

Kickstarting the Jaipur Music Stage on January 24 will be the sonic explorations of Iranian Canadian duo Niyaz who will present their unique blend of world music, inspired by mystic Sufi sounds and Iranian folk over the bustle of modern electronica. The tempo is set to rise exponentially with an exciting collaboration, as Jasbir Jassi brings the earthy notes of Punjabi folk alongside Kutle Khan’s energetic Rajasthani folk. The evening of January 25 will see the fiery Nooran Sisters showcase the power of their vocal-driven Sufi songs on the Jaipur Music Stage. They will be followed by folk-rock legends Indian Ocean doing what they do best: serenading crowds with their timeless tunes about India. These combustible sounds are sure to set the stage ablaze and bring to it the rich timbre of soulful folk.

Fusion fever hits Jaipur Music Stage on the evening of 26th January as violin virtuoso Dr L Subramaniam unveils his brand new set, ‘Global Fusion’; an energetic celebration of modern music in Subramaniam’s inimitable style. MidivalPunditz, the original techno pioneers of India, will round off the evening’s entertainment with their pulsating electronica pulling from an eclectic variety of sounds.

On the evening of January 27, the Jaipur Music Stage will celebrate the power of raw musical expression. Shillong blues masters Soulmate are the first act of the night and next up is another unique collaboration which will see Australian live-looping wonderkid Dub FX share the stage with mesmerising Carnatic vocalist Mahesh Vinayakram.

As a grand finale, DubFx, Soulmate and Mahesh Vinayakram will bring the curtain down with a collaboration like no other -- Carnatic, blues and beatboxing all on one stage. Apart from several electrifying evenings of performances, the Jaipur Music Stage will also feature workshops, masterclasses, talks and sessions, giving music-lovers a chance to interact with musicians, learn more about instruments and explore nuances within musical genres.

The 2019 line-up 

• The artistes performing at the Jaipur Music Stage include the soulful Roohani Sisters; leading Carnatic and world music vocalist Mahesh Vinayakram in collaboration with Dub FX. 
• It also includes the ever-popular Punjabi folk singer Jasbir Jassi in a never-seen-before collaboration with Kutle Khan, folk-rock legends Indian Ocean, violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam, Shillong-based blues act Soulmate, and techno masters MidivalPunditz.
• The Jaipur Music Stage will also feature workshops, masterclasses, talks and sessions, giving music-lovers a chance to interact with musicians and learn more about instruments. 

Heritage evenings @JLF

• Music, dance, and fashion performances will charm audiences at ZEE JLF 2019 in association with Rajasthan Tourism, during two heritage evenings which will be set against the backdrop of the city’s spectacular monuments Amber Fort and the multi-arts centre Jawahar Kala Kendra on January 25 and 26. 
• ‘Clothing as Identity’, a fashion show by the artisan designers of Kutch will be organised at Jawahar Kala Kendra on January 25. 
• A musical evening awaits audiences on Republic Day at Amber Fort. It will begin with a performance by Folk land, International Centre for Folklore & Culture, Kerala showcasing Theyyam, a ceremonial dance from Kerala. 
• Another highlight of the evening will be a recital by Sitar Ensemble, one of India’s most accomplished sitar duos: Shakir Khan and Azeem Ahmed Alvi. Ustad Akram Khan and Hafeez Ahmed Khan will join them on the stage.