Dhoad, also known under the name Dhoad gypsies of Rajasthan, or Dhoad gypsies from Rajasthan is a group created in France in 2002 and directed by Rahis Bharti which brings together musicians from Rajasthan, India.[1][2][3]

Dhoad
GenresRajasthani folk music
InstrumentTabla
Years active2002–present
MembersRahis Bharti

History and training

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The name Dhoad comes from the original village of Rahis Bharti. The group is made up of musicians, traditional dancers (the Ghoomar dance), fakirs, fire eaters, singers, players of traditional tabla, dholak, harmonium, kartel, bhapang, Indian Jew's harp), acrobats, poets and troubadours.[4][5][6]

The training is signed by the Harmonia Mundi label.

Rahis Bharti

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Rahis Bharti is an Indian musician and tabla player specializing in folk and classical styles. He is the descendant of over seven generations of royal court Rajasthani musicians, with multiple cultural influences. They initially played for the Maharajas from father to son.[7] He has lived in France since the early 2000s. Founder, artistic director and musician of the Dhoad, Bollywood Massala Orchestra and Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band formations, he honors traditional Indian and Rajasthan music while experimenting with musical exchanges with other musical aesthetics. He became an ambassador and custodian of the culture of Rajasthan.[8]

He's a foremost figure responsible for popularizing Rajasthani arts and music globally. He is a music producer, artistic director, educator, and founder of several ensembles.

Bharti has sponsored and promoted over 700 local Rajasthani dancers, musicians and artists from countless villages and towns in India and introduced them to the global stage. He has collaborated with scores of musicians from around the world, including Spanish Flamenco musicians, African musicians, Corsican musicians and Pop stars in Europe and the USA.

Dedicated to the promotion of Rajasthani artists and musicians, Bharti founded the LIMDA Agency and FLR Production Company, France.

Bharti has performed over 2500 concerts in more than 110 countries around the world. He has conducted educational workshops and classes on Rajasthani music, arts and culture in schools, colleges and universities.

Group journey

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In 2000, as soon as he arrived in Corsica, Rahis Bhartiil wanted to make his traditional music known,[9] and was already imagining the group Dhoad. He quickly brought in other Indian musicians. This is how he created the group Dhoad in 2002, to perform learned and traditional Rajasthani music. This variable geometry group includes musicians, dancers, fire-eaters, acrobats and fakir on stage. That is to say up to 18 artists on stage, that Rahis integrates, directs, produces and organizes the tours of the group.[10]

Dhoad has performed over 1,500 concerts in over 110 countries. The group has performed at international events. They also played for the former President of the French Republic, François Hollande, before the President of India Abdul Kalam Azad, Narendra Modi Indian Prime Minister at the Carrousel du Louvre.

The group regularly shares the stage with other artists and performs with Hocine Boukella40, Esma Redzepova, Diego Carrasco, Romano Drom, Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, Ssassa. They also shared the stage with Matthieu Chedid[11] at the Élysée Montmartre and the singer LP during the Notte Della Taranta44 festival.

In 2007, the group took part in the show La route des fils du vent, bringing together music by gypsies from Central Europe, Spain (flamenco) and Rajasthan.[12]

The group is based both in Tours, where Rahis Bharti resides, and also in Rajasthan, where most musicians reside.[13]'[14]

Awards to Bharti

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  • 2015: Silicon Valley global organization community award in USA.
  • 2016: Awards Include: The Fryderyk Award (Polish Grammy) Poland.
  • 2018: Rajasthan Gouvrav (Pride of Rajasthan) Jaipur India
  • 2019: CID Section of Japan ,UNESCO award for Cultural Ambassador of Rajasthan Bestowed upon Rahis Bharti 21 February in Tokyo Japan.
  • 15 August 2019: District Award by city of Jaipur on the Independence day of India.
  • 26 January 2020: Rajasthan state award on Republic day of india By Rajasthan Governor.     

Discography

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They released several albums,[15][16][17] including:

Albums

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  • The Dhoad Gypsies from Rajasthan, label Dhoad Gypsies, 2005
  • Roots travelers, World village France Harmonia mundi distribution, 2011
  • Âfya, Sidi Bémol & Dhoad, gypsies from Rajasthan, CSB productions, 2014
  • Times of Maharajas, ARC Music, 2019

Titles in a compilation

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  • Indian Vistas, ARC Music, 2018

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "English". Dhoad.
  2. ^ "Rajasthani music to tabla beat, By Yvette Varvaressou - Kathimerini English Edition | Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com.
  3. ^ "The Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan are Taking Folk Music Global -". 18 July 2019.
  4. ^ Litvin, Yoav (5 October 2018). "Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan – Nomads in Times of Xenophobia and Mass Migration". Yoav Litvin. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. ^ "DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan". Musical Instrument Museum. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ^ "DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan Played for Prime Minister of France - WOMEX". www.womex.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Spirit of India comes to Kingston". The Journal. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  8. ^ Department, World Music Central News. "Interview with Rahis Bharti of the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan | World Music Central.org". Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  9. ^ "The Musical Joy of the Gypsies of Rajasthan | World Music Central.org". 6 August 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. ^ BWW News Desk. "MPAC Announces Indian Dance, Pat Metheny And Bobby Collins and More in Late September". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Reporter Labo -M- : Le concert de ré-ouverture de l'Elysée Montmartre (Photos et Vidéos)". Labo -M- (in French). 22 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Reportage sur le spectacle LA ROUTE DES FILS DU VENT, 30 novembre 2007, à Nevers". www.musiquealhambra.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  13. ^ "The Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan are Taking Folk Music Global -". 18 July 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  14. ^ "राजस्थानी संगीत करेगा फ्रांस में स्ट्रेस को दूर, कोरोना काल में राजस्थानी धोद बैंड देगा प्रस्तुति". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Dhoad Gypsies Of Rajasthan". Discogs. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Dhoad gypsies of Rajasthan". data.bnf.fr. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  17. ^ Times of Maharajas, West Sussex: Arc Records, 2019, OCLC 1106146295, retrieved 18 September 2020