Music experiences in the Pink City

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last year, Jaipur experienced a striking surge in music events that captivated massive crowds. Concerts by artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Talwinder, Karan Aujla, Kailash Kher, and Prateek Kuhad had the city humming with excitement. Fans lined up for hours, eager to enter, with tickets exclusively available online, and in some cases, traded on the black market. Enthusiasts refreshed their screens incessantly, waiting for ticket slots to open. The frenzy reached a fever pitch when a viral reel of a Jaipur girl, emotionally reacting to one of Diljit’s songs, became a sensation. The memes surrounding her moment were so overwhelming that she had to deactivate her account. The city’s music scene seemed to have reached its zenith in both scale and fervor. Yet, for someone like me, who shies away from large crowds, the overwhelming energy wasn’t entirely alluring.

Alongside these monumental concerts, Jaipur also hosted performances of Rajasthani folk, French jazz, Korean music, and Indo-Spanish collaborations. Though these events didn’t draw the same massive crowds, they provided an exceptional opportunity for the city’s art and culture aficionados to explore diverse musical traditions from around the world. Venues like Jawahar Kala Kendra, Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur Virasat Foundation, and Nila House regularly hold such performances, enriching the cultural fabric of the city. Some of these events are free, while others charge a modest entry fee, ensuring a more curated audience.

The recent episode of Soul Connect featuring Akansha Rao

Another commendable initiative in the city is the Soul Connect morning music revival series, spearheaded by Mita Kapur and Vinod Joshi. This initiative aims to revive cultural traditions by empowering traditional performing artists and preserving our country’s generations-old music traditions. Held at various temples throughout the city, these performances provide a serene and soothing backdrop to the music.

The year 2025 began with a delightful musical note. I had the pleasure of attending a more intimate performance that felt like a balm for the soul. At the Nanhe Kalakaar festival at Jawahar Kala Kendra, a venue in Jaipur known for hosting such events, I encountered Rahgir for the first time. His performance was a revelation. There was an undeniable honesty in the way he delivered his songs, interwoven with poetry, and his lyrics resonated deeply with the audience. The atmosphere was serene, with the crowd fully immersed in the music, rather than jockeying for space or scrambling for the perfect reel.

Rahgir performing at a music event in Jaipur — Rahgir performing at Jawahar Kala Kendra

Later, during the same festival, I witnessed a performance called Nanhe Manganiyar, where 25 young Manganiyars, led by Devu Khan Manganiyar, performed together. The group rendered mesmerizing folk tunes, and the intimacy of Rahgir’s performance, combined with the heartfelt connection during Nanhe Manganiyar’s set, served as a poignant reminder of what music should truly be—a medium through which one can lose themselves, connect with their soul, and revel in the purity of melody and lyrics.

Nanhe Manganiyar performing at Jawahar Kala Kendra — Nanhe Manganiyar performing at Nanhe Kalakaar festival at Jawahar Kala Kendra

Kudos to initiatives and organizations like these for creating safe spaces for authentic expression and genuine connection. These events prove that music doesn’t require grandiose stages or viral moments to touch hearts. As we move into 2025, I find myself eagerly anticipating more performances like these—intimate, heartfelt, and deeply resonant. One festival I am particularly excited about is the Jaipur Jazz and Blues Festival at the Rajasthan International Center, slated for February. It promises to be a celebration of world-class music, spanning contemporary, fusion, Latin, and mainstream jazz, as well as electric, punk, and soul blues.

In a world increasingly dominated by spectacle, it is the quiet, sincere performances that remind us of music’s true essence. As we look ahead to 2025, may we continue to seek out the spaces where melody meets meaning, far beyond the clamor of the mainstream.