Jodhpur RIFF 2026. Venue: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park (adjacent to lower car park of Mehrangarh Fort). Entry: Full Festival pass/ Day Pass. Jodhpur RIFF presents a special Desert Lounge in the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. An all-acoustic evening with the sounds of Rajasthan: Opening with Idu Khan Langa, one of the finest contemporary exponents of the exquisite double flute alghoza of the Surnai Langa community of western Rajasthan. Used by pastoralists while navigating their way through sand dunes, and to lead cattle through the winter fogs of the desert back in the day, the alghoza is an extremely rare sight today, with very few who have mastered it the way Idu ji has. At Jodhpur RIFF, Idu Khan Langa brings this timeless voice of the alghoza, inviting audiences into the rich sonic world of the Thar Desert through the artistry of a musician whose life is devoted to keeping one of Rajasthan's most distinctive musical traditions alive. Followed by vocalist in Seraiki/ Punjabi Mir Bassu Khan, a leading light among the Mir community from Bikaner. The Mir-e-Alam are a semi-pastoral people of the Mirasi community of the Bikaner/Pugal region of Rajasthan and have a strong, beautiful musical tradition of spiritual music. They sing the poetry of Baba Farid, Baba Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu and Khwaja Ghulam Farid in Seraiki/ Punjabi. While recent years have seen an increased interest (and research) in their music, much of it remains inaccessible and unexposed to potential audiences. The challenges of eking a daily existence have taken a toll on the cultural heritage of this community, as have numerous socio-political factors which are largely out of their control. And yet, their voices remain strong and clear. As the music is acoustic (non-amplified) and the space is intimate, seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The slightest noise distracts fellow audience members and makes it hard to listen to the performers. We would greatly appreciate it if the audience refrained from chatting during the performance or while waiting to be seated. Please note: The meeting point for the Desert Lounge for all audiences is in the Mehrangarh Fort lower car park at 11.50 pm or at the entrance to the Rao Jodha Park at 11.55 pm. The walk to and from the performance space is approximately 10 minutes from the lower car park: first on the road to the Rao Jodha Park entrance (5 minutes) and then in the park itself (5 minutes) – so please wear decent shoes for walking! Please carry something warm (it gets chilly); hot drinks & light snacks will be available for purchase. 24th OCTOBER