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Developing storyRajasthan

In pictures: lights, kites and folk songs at Dhanpura Folk Nights

Three nights of desert music in a village square: eight scenes from the festival's opening, its new stage for young singers, and the long walk home.

By Kavya Menon

DHANPURA ·

  1. Illustration of festival lights and kites at night
    Strings of lights go up over the village square on the first evening. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  2. Illustration of music notes over a glowing stage
    A kamaicha player tunes his instrument before the opening performance. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  3. Illustration of festival lights and kites at night
    Children fly kites from rooftops as the sun sets over the dunes. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  4. Illustration of market stalls with fruit and vegetables
    Stalls sell bangles, embroidered bags and roasted chickpeas near the stage. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  5. Illustration of music notes over a glowing stage
    Young singers from the new 'first stage' perform for a packed crowd. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  6. Illustration of festival lights and kites at night
    Lanterns float above the square during the final song of the night. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  7. Illustration of a forest with birds overhead
    Morning light over the dunes on the festival's final day. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)
  8. Illustration of a city skyline on a clear day
    Visitors head home on shuttle buses after three nights of music. Photo: Illustration: Batonwire News (synthetic)

For three nights, the village square in Dhanpura became a concert hall under the open sky. Musicians from families who have played the same instruments for generations shared the stage with teenagers singing in public for the first time.

The festival kept its small scale: a few thousand people a night, free entry for villagers, and no loudspeakers outside the square. Read more about this year's line-up.

Here are eight scenes from the festival.

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