UDAIPUR (India CSR): The Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival 2025 has officially kicked off at Gandhi Ground with a diverse lineup, blending Indian folk, Bollywood melodies, and global rhythms, setting the tone for the three-day celebration. The festival will be a confluence of Indian and globalmusic – classical rock and folk, traditional and modern music, and will once again transform Zinc City – Udaipur into a vibrant hub of music and culture from February 7 to 9, 2025. In a bigger, brighter avatar, this year, the festival aims to celebrate the preservation and propagation of Rajasthan’s forgotten musical instruments and traditions while also embracing global music cultures.
Supported by Hindustan Zinc and the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and conceptualized by SEHER, the festival offers free entry, making world-class music accessible to all and taking audiences on a musical journey across cultures.
Yaar Mohammad Langa and his Sarangi Orchestra opened the evening, highlighting Rajasthan’s folk traditions and the deep tones of the sarangi. Bringing a distinct North African flavor to the stage, Algerian blues-rock band Tiwiza followed with an energetic set infused with Berber and Chaâbi influences. Led by Sofiane Belaïd, their blend of rock and desert blues introduced the audience to the storytelling traditions of the Maghreb.The night ended with Bollywoodcelebrity singer Kanika Kapoor making the audience dance to her famous Bollywood songs like Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from the film ‘Roy’ and Da Da Dasse from ‘Udta Punjab’ to name a few.
Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc said, “Music and culture have the unique ability to unite diverse perspectives into one beautiful rhythm. It was quite evident on Day 1 with global music being ensembled with Rajasthani folk music. At Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta, we promote music, art, and culture by empowering young talent with opportunities to grow and shine. This association reflects our commitment of transforming Zinc City – Udaipur into a global cultural capital, celebrating creativity and passion. It brings us immense pride to see this initiative evolve into a premier global music event, uniting talents from different countries come together at this platform and mesmerize the audience of Udaipur.”
Hindustan Zinc has a long-standing commitment to preserving Indian culture. Recognizing the universal appeal of music, the company has launched several initiatives to connect people through this art form. These include the Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival, Srajan -The Spark (an international music and arts organization that celebrates India’s global artistic presence), and Smritiyan (celebrating the legacy of the legendary tabla maestro, Oscar nominee and BAFTA awardee Late Pandit Chatur Lal). Beyond music, Hindustan Zinc’s commitment extends to addressing social issues. The Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, hailed as India’s Most Beautiful Marathon, due to its picturesque route aims to combat hunger in the vibrant Zinc City, also recognized as a global cultural capital. Vedanta Udaipur World Music Festival,in particular, significantly boosts the local economy by attracting a global audience. This free event increases tourism by approximately 10 percent in just three days.
Adding a touch of Bollywood, pop duo Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar (SuPra) engaged the crowd with their signature mix of film and contemporary pop music, infusing the night with high-energy beats and sing-along moments. The highlight of the evening was GRAMMYaward winner DobetGnahoré with an electrifying Afropop performance. Her commanding stage presence, dynamic dance moves, and pulsating rhythms had the audience on their feet, creating an unforgettable finale for Day 1.
Reflecting on the festival’s opening, Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director, SEHER, said, “The first day of the festival was a true celebration of musical diversity. Tiwiza introduced the audience to the raw, storytelling traditions of Berber music, blending it seamlessly with rock and desert blues. DobetGnahoré was a powerful showcase of African rhythm, dance, and culture. The Sarangi Orchestra, deeply rooted in Rajasthan’s heritage, proved how traditional sounds can still captivate modern audiences. This mix of global and Indian influences is what makes the festival unique, bringing different musical worlds together on one stage.”
With a spectacular start, the festival now moves into its second day, featuring performances across all three venues.
The festival will be held at three venues in Udaipur. Mornings at Manji Ka Ghat (Feb 8- 9, 8-10 AM) will feature calm performances with views of City Palace and Jag Mandir. Afternoons at Fateh Sagar Paal (Feb 8-9, 3-5 PM) will have world music with romantic melodies. Evenings at Gandhi Ground (Feb 7-9, 6-10 PM) will host energetic performances to end each day.
Stay tuned for more music and unforgettable performances on day 2 and 3.
(India CSR)
इसे हिंदी में भी पढ़ें: जिंक सिटी उदयपुर में वेदांता उदयपुर वर्ल्ड म्यूजिक फेस्टिवल 2025 का शानदार आगाज
