JOURNEY IN RAJASTHAN (NORTHERN INDIA)
January 14 to 21, 2008
Why do I organize it ?
The goal of this trip is not tourist, even if, while crossing Rajasthan we will stop and visit a few interesting places. I organize this trip so that we can meet this nomad people who seem to be at the origin of the Rroma. They are snake charmers, dancers and musicians and they live in the Thar desert coming to the cities to make some money by showing their talents. These music and dances, we can understand them only if we get to know at least a bit the life of this people. The technique is only one detail, all the rest is important : environment, context, style, energie that we put in. I will never repeat it enough : the rroma dances are not to be explained. We can only feel them, live them and learn them this way, by imitating and feeling. It is in this context that I want to take back the kalbeliya dance during this trip to Rajasthan with the nomad rajasthani dancers that we will spend a few days with.
Simona Jovic in a kalbeliya nomad camp in Rajasthan
Workshop
I will teach only a few hours, so that you can learn the basic movements and steps. All the other part of the workshop will be teached by different rajasthani nomad dancers from the kalbeliya cast and will be accompanied by the musicians from their families. The workshop will take place in a very big tent pitched especially for this occasion. Another part more improvised will take place directly in the nomad village.
Workshop organized in january 2007
Itinery
After one night spent in New Delhi, we will make a stop at a wonderfull Neemrana fort from the 15th century. It will also be our hotel for the night before we continue our trip to Pushkar. It is in Pushkar that we will be dancing with the kalbeliya dancers during 4 days. It is also a perfect place for the shopping, for those who would like to buy some costumes, jewerly, cothes, music or anything else. After Pushkar we will visit Jaipur, pink city of Rajasthan and his ancien fort. After one night in Jaipur, we shall go back to Delhi.
Neemrana - fort and hotel
Conditions and prices
You don’t have to be a dancer to participate to this trip. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Kalbeliyas, their life, dance and music is welcome.
The journey cost is 790 euros including :
* Accomodation in the double rooms in the hotels (with the breakfast)
* All meals included during the stay in Neemrana
* Transfert airoport/hotel/airoport
* Transferts in bus during the whole stay (available 24h /24h)
* The dance workshop
The price without the dance workshop is 590 euros
These prices do not include :
* The plane tickets
* Airport taxes
* The main meals (except in Neemrana)
* Entries to museums, forts, palaces and other historical monuments
* Visas
* Personal depenses
* Tips
How to book
Please confirm your participation by email at contact@simonajovic.com so that we can send you the contract. There will be first 300 euros to send to New Delhi agency. You will have to pay the other part by December 10th 2007.
A small attention…
The nomad that we will be lucky to meet live in a very simple way and they are very poor. So please, if you can bring with you anything that could help, it would be very appreciated : clothes for children, food, medecins, cosmetics…I thank you in advance and I am sur tha life will thank you also. If you need, you will get a certificate from the Humanitary and Cultural Rroma Organization.
