Jodhpur RIFF 2026. Venue: Zenana Courtyard. Entry: Full Festival pass/ Day Pass. Showcasing the young heirs of Rajasthan's root musical traditions. Ghewar Khan, Feroze Khan, Darre Khan Brothers Ghewar Khan Manganiyar and Darre Khan Manganiyar are the undisputed masters of the Kamaicha, a string instrument completely unique to the Manganiyar community. A unique Rajasthani string instrument, the kamaicha (a round bodied, fretless string instrument, variant of the Persian kamanche) is rarely heard today, with few musicians able to play the instrument as masterfully as brothers Ghewar and Darre Khan Manganiyar can. Sons and students of the late Padma Shri awardee Sakar Khan ji and custodians of his legacy, the brothers present a special showcase of some of the most unusual, significant, and legendary tunes of their traditional repertoire on the rustic, earthy and soulful kamaicha. Tying the trio together is their brother Feroze Khan Manganiyar, arguably the finest dholak player among Rajasthan's folk musicians. The brothers have made a name for themselves around the world, for their exquisite musical artistry, soul-stirring performances, and collaborations with classical and contemporary artistes from India and abroad. They are also teachers of their tradition, sharing the concern and care for the future of the legacy that they've inherited. On stage at Jodhpur RIFF they are joined by their sons…. All emerging artists in their own right. In its present form, the kamaicha comes with 10-17 strings and is played with a bow. Made of mango wood, its rounded resonator is covered with goat skin. Three or four of its strings are goat intestines called roda and joda while the other 14 strings of steel are ‘jhara'. The kamaicha (also called kamaicha, but completely different from the spiked fiddle from Iran – the kamancheh) bow is prepared from khejari; wood and horse tail hairs or synthetic thread. Small bells (ghungroo) are attached to the bow to produce rhythmic jingles along the notes. Karolina Cicha, ft. Anita Dangi Singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and often a one woman orchestra... Karolina Cicha donnes many titles. Known for her powerful vocals and performances with an accordion in one hand, keyboard in the other and drums by her feet, she is an equally proficient in Yiddish and Esperanto. Karolina's life's work has been giving voice to communities whose languages and music have been quietly disappearing. At Jodhpur RIFF this year, we get to witness Karolina's first ever collaboration with a Rajasthani folk singer, Anita Dangi. A treasure trove of a vast repertoire of the traditional music of the Damami community of western Rajasthan, Anita Dangi is one of the most important woman voices of the Rajasthani folk tradition today. Hailing from the village of Nimbola near Nagaur, she comes from a family that has been the custodian of the Rajwaadi Maand for generations. Trained by her mother Ratani Devi, she carries forward this form that closely resembles Thumri and Ghazal in its classical-like refinement, and is extremely difficult to master. Look out for what happens when the custodians of music from the two worlds come together on the same stage. This collaboration is a Jodhpur RIFF commission Michael McGoldrick, Donald Shaw & Sorren Maclean ft. SAZ Widely considered one of the UK's finest flute and Uilleann pipe players, Michael McGoldrick is defined by an extraordinarily lyrical playing style, and an unending curiosity that has taken him from the deep roots of Irish traditional music to collaborations with musicians across the globe. For his India premiere, joining him on keys and accordion, is his longtime collaborator and friend Donald Shaw - BAFTA nominated composer, and artistic director of Celtic Connections. They will be accompanied by guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer Sorren Maclean on the guitar. At Jodhpur RIFF, we get to witness what unfolds when decades of friendship and musical partnership come together onstage, and the first look of a new project in the works, as SAZ begins to collaborate with the Scottish musicians. Earlier in January 2026, Jodhpur RIFF presented the rising stars of the contemporary Rajasthani folk scene - SAZ - at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, one of the world's leading folk and roots music festivals.This October, Celtic Connections comes to Jodhpur, in the form of two of the most outstanding musicians of the tradition, both significant figures who have put Scotland's traditional music on the global map. This performance is part of an ongoing artistic exchange between Jodhpur RIFF and Celtic Connections, Glasgow Martha Redbone Roots Project Martha Redbone is one of the most vital voices in American Roots music today. Her work spans folk, R&B, gospel, funk and traditional Native American music, heavily drawing from these traditional roots, incorporating their elements into her original music to create something that carries the fervor of gospel and the celebratory energy of indigenous music. Joining her is Aaron Whitby - award winning pianist, songwriter, composer and record producer who is also Martha's longtime collaborator and husband. His piano is the melodic backbone to the fiery energy of Martha's voice.Together, they bring a performance that is the best of both worlds. In their duo songwriter format, Redbone's powerhouse vocals—shaped by her Afro-Indigenous heritage and Appalachian upbringing—blend with Whitby's expressive piano and musical direction, creating a rich sonic landscape that moves effortlessly between genres and emotional registers. Through story and song, they share reflections on identity, resilience, and the human spirit, inviting audiences not just to listen, but to connect. Martha and Aaron's time at Jodhpur RIFF this year also marks the beginnings of a collaboration between Martha, Aaron and SAZ- a budding conversation of two traditions deeply rooted in storytelling, ancestry and the resilience of community. This is Martha Redbone and Aaron Whitby's premiere appearance in India. This collaboration is part of an ongoing creative partnership between Jodhpur RIFF and Lincoln Center, New York. Butter Funk Family Record producer, songwriter and singer Printz Board is better known for his work with the music group Black Eyed Peas and as a multi Grammy winner and nominee. But at Jodhpur RIFF, Printz Board brings an authentic and original sound of the Butter Funk Family, a lethal combination of the energy of the 70s and irresistible and groovy music that you can't help but dance to. Tight drums, booming trumpet, driving bass lines, staccato guitars, brass that echoes in your head and lyrics that deliver funk commandments reminiscent of James Brown, the Butter Funk Family's music is a movement built around a single joyful mission: to spread love, groove, and funk to everyone in the room. Their music makes no distinction between age or taste. It makes you sing and dance along regardless. Come ready to move! This is Butter Funk Family's premiere festival appearance in India.