Musical mela in Ladakh

It might well be India’s answer to the Woodstock Festival. However, organisers of the Ladakh Confluence — that takes place from August 28-31 — wouldn’t like to draw parallels with Woodstock. While Woodstock was only about concerts, the Ladakh Confluence will celebrate music and culture at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level in one of the most dry, inhabited regions of the world.

 Rayna Jhaveri, who’s part of the organising team, says, “We are not depending on corporate sponsorships. We are looking at community funds, collaborations with local Ladakhi partners and support from the J&K tourism and Ladakh government.”

The impressive line-up of musicians include Brit-Asian musician Talvin Singh, Rahul Sharma, Shillong’s Soulmate, Austria’s Bauchklang, Portugal’s Terrakota, and Indian electro-pop duo Shaa’ir + Func among many others. Rahul Sharma, who has earlier composed an album titled Ladakh — In Search of Buddha, opens the festival with Talvin Singh. This is the first time they will perform together. Says Rahul, “We haven’t decided what to play but I will include the voice of monks that were used in my album.”

While Leh has a capacity to hold about 7,000 people, however this year the organisers will not encourage visitors to camp in tents due to issues related to acclimatisation.

For the musicians, this promises to be one big party. Monica of Shaa’ir + Func says, “Most of the other artistes are our friends. That’s the nicest part about playing in such community festivals. It makes for an awesome party.” Rudy Wallang of Soulmate adds, “The real treat of being a part of such festivals is getting to play our music as well as listening to other musicians play.”

With inputs by Suparna Thombare