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When Mandawa comes alive with global sounds

The first destination music festival of 2017, will also be one of the last festivals of 2017, with its second edition set to take off between December 23rd to 25th.

Taalbelia, welcomed a large mix of audiences across ages and countries to some spellbinding performances from varied genres in the majestic town of Mandawa. It’s all set to make the programming mix even more special with their second innings.

In the heart of Rajasthan, lies the majestic Mandawa, a quaint Shekhawati town adorned with frescoes, tales and bearings of a regal era gone by. The heritage and ancient royal charm of Mandawa met with a world class mix of music, art and culture at the debut edition of Taalbelia, a fully sold out four-day long multi-format festival that was held between January 26th and January 29th, 2017. Now they are back with edition two in the second half of December to help you party and then wind down your year in style.

Taalbelia, as a concept strives to reinvent the wheel, as far as destination music festivals go with wider range of delectable music genres that is rarely seen.

Three days, 4 stages and more than 30 acts make quite the ideal combination of the comforts of a vacation immersed in music, arts & crafts, along with adventure, royal hospitality and gastronomic delights, unique to the belt. The audience basein the January edition was wide and vibrant from toddlers to teenagers to octogenarians attending all 4 segments with gusto.

Showcasing the majestic and equally magnetic charm of the Shekhawati region and its culture, this round the clock affair, plays host to 4 stages through the day and night- with different genres of contemporary, classical and folk music to enthrall the residents between two breathtakingly beautiful venues, namely Castle Mandawa and Desert Resort.

The second edition will be held across the same two beautiful venues for three days starting December 23rd, 2017.

Known for its forts and havelis, this picturesque town provides travelers and visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn.

The roots of Rajasthan have travelled musically across the globe, transforming cultures and traditions with its nomadic vibe. Taalbelia lets you experience this vibe and a rich confluence of music and other art forms in a boutique environment. Taalbelia serves as a platform for multi-genre artists to come together and create magic!

Adventure laden activities, safaris, workshops and of course the music throughout the day revs up your spirits to take on the night as a new enigmatic and moving musical experience sets you up and the energy of EDM & underground music takes your spirits higher. From the heights of a royal castle, through the surface of an oasis, to a stroll into the desert, Taalbelia will take you on a journey at every step…

The Music

The music at Taalbelia is spread across 3 nights and 4 days, 2 venues and 4 stages namely, Meera Chowk for Morning Sessions, Risala in the afternoon, Dhobhi Ghat in evening and nights at The Big Ibhah. The programming boasts of specially curated sets.

The second edition will feature a rare intimate session with singer Mohit Chauhan alongside myriad mood-makers such as Monica Dogra, Anand Bhaskar Collective, Ankur & the Ghalat Family, Bhanwari Devi, Indus Creed, One half of Midival Punditz -Gaurav Raina as Grain (Live), Dhruv Visvanath, Filter Coffee, grandpa hotpants Lou Majaw, Maati Baani, Madboy/Mink, Mahesh Vinayakram, Malfnktion. Mojojojo, Moorlala, Namit Das & Anurag Shankar, Prem Joshua &Band, Rajakumari, Raperita Balam, Reggae Rajahs, Sawan Khan Manganiyaar, Sound Avtar, Suitra, Sureal.

The rajasthani folk legacy of the latter will be continued with the younger generation in Manganiyar Classroom by Roysten Abel that promises an energising set by the Next Gen of Manganiyaars. The set was a hit in the first edition too.

Workshops

Taalbelia’s Pro-Life exquisite Workshops have a distinctive set of interactive sessions: stand behind the console jamming with the DJs, learn to play instruments such as Morchang, understand the rhythm of the khartaal, polish your shooting skills or potter around the potter’s wheel, get familiar with the beautiful horses at the royal stables. There’s also a crash course that teaches you to make the unique and signature Rajasthani Lac bangles and the options of sand surfing and dirt biking.

The sumptuous Shekhwati cuisine

Taalbelia’s Gourmet Fiesta will be home to food-lovers who wish to indulge in unique cuisine and authentic delicacies of Shekhawati and the region does boast of an array of fine culinary delights such as seasonal specials based on gram flour, dry vegetables, bajra and corn, hot raab(local soup) along with traditional favourites such as Kaachri Ki Lunji,pyaazki sabzi, gatta, pithod variations and of course the popular non-vegetation Shekhawati dishes which find a unique footing, in Rajasthani delicacies.

The menu however isn’t restricted to Rajasthani wonders, extending itself to world cuisines such as Middle Asian, Mangolian and Mexican specialities.

A word on the organisers

The magic and magnetism of Mandawa is all set resurge, as one of the most unique music festival initiatives is brought alive by India’s premier event and experiential marketing agency Event Crafter in joint collaboration with the Royal Family of Mandawa.

Event Crafter has been a pivotal stakeholder in promotion and experiential magnification of Rajasthan’s culture through its active involvement in initiatives similar to TAALBELIA for over a decade and half. It has created a signature mark of its own when it comes to organising concept led initiatives.

The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan has awed historians, art followers and connoisseurs from all over the world. It was a key city that catapulted business and conserved timeless art during the Rajput period and its rich heritage still remains a source of pride for us all. Mandawa was the crowned citadel for Shekhawati. The glory of the land has frozen in time, its art; its music and its culinary finesse still mesmerize our senses. But, owing to the lack of conviction led initiatives; the city of Mandawa yearns to regain its erstwhile charm and magic, which Taalbelia seeks to change.

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