The inaugural evening of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2025 resonated with music, rhythm, and cultural richness at Hotel Anantara, Jaipur, marking the beginning of a new movement — Concert Tourism — from the land of Rajasthan. This cultural evening was not just an artistic showcase, but a strategic and visionary step towards redefining tourism experiences in India.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari stated,
“Today’s traveller seeks immersive experiences beyond forts and palaces. Music, tradition, and vibrancy are the soul of Rajasthan. With Concert Tourism, we aim to bring these emotions to the global stage. This is just the beginning — in the future, Rajasthan will host concert series featuring artists from around the country and abroad.”
A Melodic Dialogue Between Tradition and Modernity
Anand Tripathi, Additional Director, Department of Tourism, emphasized that this was not merely a performance but a curated musical narrative that harmonized Rajasthan’s ancient folk traditions with modern musical expressions. The production was conceptualized and directed by art connoisseur Vinod Joshi.
Folk Meets Fusion on a Global Stage
The evening brought together six iconic folk music communities — Manganiyar, Langa, Meghwal, Damami, Jogis, and others — on one stage. A total of 28 artists from 16 cities, villages, and hamlets presented a spectacular blend of instruments:
From Khartal, Kamaicha, Bhapang to Saxophone, Keyboard, Guitar, and Clapbox, traditional and Western instruments created a mesmerizing musical tapestry that left the audience spellbound.
Songs of the Soul, Dances of the Desert
The event opened with the soul-stirring “Kesariya Balam”, followed by beloved Rajasthani folk melodies like “Balam Ji Mhara” and “Wari Jao Re”. These songs stirred deep emotions, showcasing that folk music is not merely entertainment — it is lived emotion, preserved tradition, and a universal language of expression.
Adding visual splendor to the evening was the stunning performance by the globally renowned Kalbeliya dancers — Khatu Sapera, Bhurki, Radha, Dhapu, and Sangeeta — whose graceful movements and expressive storytelling captivated the audience. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Kalbeliya dance highlighted Rajasthan’s deep cultural wealth.
Rajasthan: Where Culture Breathes, and Innovation Thrives
This cultural celebration was not just a musical evening — it was a declaration that Rajasthan is not only about history; it is today’s living festival. With its unmatched artistic legacy, the state is now reimagining itself as India’s heartbeat for cultural tourism.
Folk Musicians & Instrumentalists
Bhagura Khan (Khartal), Chaganaram (Matka), Bhutta Khan (Vocals), Lateeb Khan (Vocals), Nehru Khan (Harmonium), Channan Khan (Dhol), Manzoor Khan (Dholak), Devu Khan (Khartal), Latif Khan (Morchang), Rahish Khan (Khartal), Nihal Khan (Dholak), Shankara Ram (Matka), Kode Khan (Kamaicha), Bhagade Khan (Kamaicha), Manish Kumar (Nagada), Sawai Khan (Dholak), Zakir Khan (Bhapang), Saddam Langa (Sarangi), Aman (Bhapang), Joga Khan (Dhol), Roshan Khan (Morchang), Dada Khan (Tandoora), Shakoor Khan (Algoza).
Western Music Group
Tausif Khan (Clapbox), Raja Hussain (Keyboard), Firoz Ali (Saxophone), Yogesh Meena (Guitar).
Kalbeliya Dance Ensemble
Khatu Sapera, Bhurki, Radha, Dhapu, Sangeeta.
Rajasthan has become the first Indian state to formally introduce Concert Tourism as a tourism category — an experience-driven approach that blends music, storytelling, and cultural interaction to attract global travellers.
