A 15th-century town in Rajasthan is now a global hub for folk music. The Jodhpur Roots International Folk Festival (RIFF), supported by Mick Jagger since its inception in 2007, has become a vital platform for preserving and showcasing the Manganiyar and Langa musical traditions from Rajasthan’s desert border regions (Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer).

At its core, Jodhpur RIFF is more than performance—it’s heritage conservation. Through oral narrative, traditional instruments like the Sindhi sarangi and kamaicha, and community stories passed down generations, folk artists keep alive a culture under threat from modernization. The festival also fosters global collaborations—Rajasthani folk combined with Scottish, Australian, Central Asian, and other folk traditions; albums like Maru Tarang, Blue City, Dhun Dhora reflect this cross-cultural creativity.

For artists like Asin Khan, Manzoor Khan, and many women folk singers, this cultural stage gives both identity and livelihood. As the 2025 edition approaches (Oct 2-6 at Mehrangarh Fort during Sharad Poornima), it promises performances not just from local masters but international folk musicians too. The message is clear: folk traditions aren’t relics—they are living, evolving expressions, and Jodhpur RIFF is helping India’s desert voices echo across the world.