DHOAD
Dhoad Gypsies is a collective of consummate, wise and spirited musicians, vocalists and dancers of all generations.
The mesmerizing, spectacular, fabulous show of poets troubadours, musicians, dancers and fakir (fire eater) from the country of Maharajas.
With six musicians, one dancer and one Fakir/Fire-eater. The Dhoad Gypsies are dedicated to gathering the leading figures of the Rajasthan musician castes.
Award Winning Founding musician and Artistic Director - Rahis Bharti - has spent over eighteen years spreading the musical culture of Rajasthan to a World wide audience.
The Dhoad Gypsies' brand new album Times of the Maharajas takes us back to majestic celebtrations in palaces of the "Land of the Kings". With an impressive tour history of over 110 countries including Venues,Festivals and performances to the likes of Presidents, Queens and nobility... It is no wonder the Dhoad Gypsies are known as The Cultural Ambassadors of Rajasthan. Witness seven generations of ancient to modern music passed down through the ages in this fascinating country
DHOAD – Times of Maharajas
The era of the Maharajas was a time of bejewelled kings, opulent palaces filled with the finest art, and a rich cultural tradition of Rajasthan – the land of the kings. The DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan take us back to these times, re-creating the experiences of the public spectacle of palace life.
These are ancient melodies that were handed down to DHOAD’s musical director, Rahis Bharti, over several generations from his courtier-musician ancestors, who would sing in the presence of Maharajas at public events like births,marriages and religious ceremonies, or just for entertainment. Sona ra button Banna celebrates the birth of a prince; Dhanra Saheba ji the arrival of the wedding party, and Janwariyo (Romantic Peacock) announcing the coming of the rainy season, a symbol of wealth and the return of a lover.
In the spirit of their forefathers, DHOAD honours the rich, travelling Khan Saheb musical tradition – a musical caste and title given by the Maharajas to the musicians of their court – in true homage to the Rom population who left
India over a thousand years ago.
Rahis Bharti Muscian & Founder is keeping Rajasthan’s important heritage alive
by bringing it to audiences worldwide and has earned him a prestigeous UNESCO Cultural Ambassador award in 2019.
Rahis Bharti was captivated at an early age by lively traditional music and dance, which became his life’s work and joy. He has been the guardian of authentic traditional music and dance of Rajasthan for many years. Driven by a
celebrated legacy and creative fire, Rahis’ work keeps Rajasthan’s important heritage alive by bringing it to audiences worldwide.
Rahis and his three younger brothers, Teepu Khan, a great and virtuous tabla player and vocalist; Sanjay Khan, the outstanding lead vocalist and harmonium player; and Amrat Hussain, a phenomenal tabla player, are the heart of the DHOAD group. They are the product of more than seven generations of talented musicians, having been taught the music of Rajasthan from their father, Ustad Rafeek, and their great grandfather, Ustad Rasool Buxkhan.
Rajasthani music is respected by virtuosos worldwide for its emotion and unparalleled rhythmic speed and complexity. Times of Maharajas is a vibrant dream that tantalizes the senses and transports audiences to the country of the Maharajas, bringing them back to a time here the forefathers played before kings
and queens.
The DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan have performed over twelve hundred concerts in
over one hundred Ten countries, delighting audiences for the last Eighteen years.
Thus, DHOAD are known today as “the Cultural Ambassadors of Rajasthan”.
Performances Include:
Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration in London; Performing for the honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi;
Performing for the President of France, François Hollande;
Birthday party for the lead vocalist of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger.
DHOAD has also had collaborations with: “Queen of the Gypsies” Esma Redžepova
- Macedonia, Romano Drom - Hungary, Orchestra di Piazza vittorio - Italy, Cheikh
sedi Bémol - Algeria, Mathieu Chedid – France, Warsaw Village Band – Poland, LP
Pop Rock star from USA . Carmin Belgodere - Corsica,
DHOAD Played in Festivals, venues such as Sziget Festival - Hungary, WOMAD Festival UK, Olympic Games in Greece 2004, Hong Kong Art Festival, Paleo Festival - Switzerland
Formula 1 Singapore, Capital of Culture Bahrain, National Day of Dubai,
National Radio & Cross Culture Festival of Poland, Philharmonic Concert hall of
Koln - Germany, Festival Notte Della Taranta infront of 200 Hundred Thousand
audience in Italy in 2018, Festival Romafest in Japan in 26 cities, Tokyo, Kobi,
Osaka, Kyoto etc , 35 cities of United States - World music Festival Chicago,
Harris centre Folsom -California, Theatre Fox Tuscon Texas, McCain Auditorium -
Manhattan, Kansas, Vancouver symphony Hall - Canada, Sunfest Ontario London,
50 years of independence of Algeria,
World Music Festival - Batumi - Georgia, Festival de la Pitic - Mexico,
Créole world Music Festival - Guadeloupe, Nuit des Fouviere Lyon - France,
Festival Bout du Monde - Crozon, France, Elysée Montmartre - Paris,
Parc de la Villette - Paris, Festival Todos - Lisbonne - Portugal, Festival
Mewazine - Morocco, Meknes, Casablanca, Amsterdam Roots Festival - Holland,
Floriada, Gandhi centre, Pirineos sur Festival - Spain
Trondheim Festival, Forde Festival - Norway, Sfinks Festival, Bozar National
concert of Brussels - Belgium, Urkult Festival Sweden, Etno soi – Finland
and many more —-
Awards Include:
2016: The Fryderyk Award (Polish Grammy equivalent) in 2016.
2018: Rajasthan Gouvrav (Pride of Rajasthan) – Rahis Bharti
2019: UNESCO award for Cultural Ambassador of Rajasthan Bestowed upon Rahis
Bharti the 21st February in Tokyo Japan
15 August 2019 :- District Award by city of Jaipur on the Independence day of India