Flamenco, Rajasthani style

It was an evil twist of fate that left the entire team from Spain who was travelling to Jodhpur to perform at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival stranded without their luggage, especially their bags containing their primary percussion instruments, the cajon.

So, while the group finally performed at their designated time, only after having borrowed indigenous percussion instruments like the udu from musicians performing after them, they came to an interesting conclusion — Flamenco is a distant cousin of Rajasthani folk music. Interestingly, the group is trying to collaborate with the cultural ministry to make Jodhpur the first Flamenco hub in the country.

Speaking through an interpretor, Antonio Rey who plays the guitar for the group says that since both the performance art forms — Flamenco and Rajasthani folk music originated from similar backgrounds, it was but natural to try and figure out a perfect co-existence. Antonio says, “It was quite unnerving when we arrived without our luggage and realised that the primary instrument from our percussions, the cajon was missing.” The next performance was a collaboration between Sivamani and a fusion group called Dharohar, who lent them an indigenous percussion instrument, the udu.

Talking about their efforts into making Jodhpur the Flamenco hub, lead guitarist Antonio Rey and Flamenco dancer Farruco point out, “Just like Rajasthani folk music, Flamenco is a rustic form of music and dance that originated in the rural parts of Spain to convey the angst in the lives of poor people who live in harsh conditions.”

Fernando confirms that the group is also in talks with the cultural ministry of the state. He says, “We have spoken to the cultural ministry that has responded very positively.” The group is also planning to take the proposal forward to the state government.