For the second day in a row, a city nightclub will host a performance by the Manganiyars of Marwar. Are you up for another night of heady folk music?

For the second day in a row, a city nightclub will host a performance by the Manganiyars of Marwar. Are you up for another night of heady folk music?

At tonight's performance at the Blue Frog the kamayacha, khartal, algoza, cymbals and dholak will replace electronic guitars, drums and keyboards as traditional Rajasthani folk artists from the Marwar and Dhundhar regions take centre stage.

The performance, named Rajasthani Night, is a curtain raiser to the Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) 2010, which will be held in Jodhpur from October 21 to 25.

First things first: What is a Rajasthani troupe doing in a club that just yesterday hosted an Electronica Night? Emmanuelle de Decker, head of programming at Blue Frog, replies that the Rajasthan Night is part of their regular programming since weekdays are dedicated to live shows.
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"We had a similar night a couple of months ago, for which we got a really good response from the audience. People want to see something new; they are very interested in folk music and we're always striving to provide a platform for all genres of music," she explains.

In fact, judging by the Mumbai junta's positive reaction to the concept, Blue Frog is already in talks with the organisers of RIFF, 2010 to have another performance in the first week of October.

Divya Bhatia, festival director, RIFF 2010, says that performances in cities work as teasers for RIFF 2010, so that urban audiences get an idea of the kind of performance they can expect at Jodhpur.

"Our belief is that good music can be enjoyed anywhere, whether it's a nightclub or a stage with the Mehrangarh Fort as the backdrop.

It doesn't matter what style or genre of music it is or what clothes the performers are wearing," he says. We agree.

On: Tonight, 9.30 pm
At: Blue Frog, Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.
Call: 61586158 / 65251716 / 65251718
Entry: Rs 300

Recent collaborations with Rajasthani musicians

Mumbai has played host to several traditional Rajasthani performances recently. The year began with Dharohar, a performance that combined Rajasthani folk music with beatboxing, at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.

The jam between Jason Singh (vocal percussion, beatboxer) and Raies Khan Manganiyar (morchang) was the perfect example of a seamless confluence.
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In July, Blue Frog hosted a performance titled Liltans, which showcased the many colours of Rajasthani soul music.

Yesterday saw another collaboration between Raies Khan and international beatboxing artist, Shlomo at Hard Rock Cafe.

If you miss out on tonight's performance, don't fret because next week, on September 24, sufi vocalists Kacha Khan and Mamme Khan will perform alongside Manganiyar artists as part of the two-day music fest, Kala Virasat.