Rahis Bharti, the founder of the internationally renowned ‘Dhoad Band’ once again enthralled and made the audience sway to Rajasthan folk music and dances by performing in ‘Namaste Geneva 2021’ on November 13. This event was attended by the Ambassador of India in Switzerland, many diplomats along with the Indian community and Swiss audience.
Namaste Geneva 2021 was a celebration of Diwali, Milad-un-Nabi, Gurupurab and Christmas. Special artists from US, Switzerland and India showcased the rich culture of India from classical recitals to mesmerizing folk dances in this joyous occasion of celebration. Indian Association Geneva organised this event as part of the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate the 75th year of Independence of India. Dhoad Band also performed at Locarno in Switzerland on November 14.
Bharti said, “Apart from these events, Dhoad Band will be performing at Chambery Les Tours in France on December 4, Tours in France on December 11 and at Paris in France on December 18.”
Hailing from Dhod village in Sikar district of Rajasthan, Bharti 20 years ago set up his band named ‘Dhoad’. He took the Rajasthani folk music across the world single-handedly and also gave opportunities to local artists from Rajasthan at the international level. He said, “I have performed more than 1200 concerts and shows in more than 110 countries. So far provided an international platform to around 700 local artists from Rajasthan and empowering them for the last 20 years.”
Bharti and his Dhoad band are making India proud throughout the world with Rajasthan folk music. Since childhood, he had a great liking for the folk music of Rajasthan as it was in his blood due to his family being in music for seven generations. Despite being born in a poor family, he had dreamt big to introduce Rajasthani folk music to the entire world and today his dream has translated into a proud success story.
“My objective is to bring local artists, music and dance forms of Rajasthan at the international platform and get them recognition. I want to preserve the traditional and popularize folk music worldwide and I feel proud that this effort is being appreciated all over,” he added.
This reflects how a man, born in a poor, simple and traditional family has contributed not only to the field of folk music but also to the empowerment of local artists. It is because of the vision and mission of Bharti that Rajasthani music is well known and liked by millions of people worldwide today.
Dhoad has performed for the Welcoming Ceremony of your Highness Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in Paris in 2015 and at Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration in London, Former President of India A.P.J Kalam Azad during his visit in 2012 to Jaipur.
Bharti created history when he performed at Disneyland in Paris where an audience of more than 5 million witnessed the Indian music and dance performances. Bharti’s team performed for 4 months in 2019 in Disneyland, becoming the first team to represent India there.
Other performances of Dhoad include the one for the President of France François Hollande; for the Prime minister of France Édouard Philippe; President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic in Croatia in 2013 and in the private birthday party of Mick Jagger, the lead vocalist of the legendary rock band ‘The Rolling Stones’. He has won many awards at national and international awards.
