First India News Jaipur Music Stage (JMS), presented alongside the Jaipur Literature Festival, opened at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, setting the tone for three days of vibrant live music that shall celebrate the diversity and dynamism of India’s contemporary musical landscape.
The opening evening featured Soumik Datta | Travellers—an immersive and atmospheric production, by the internationally acclaimed titular sarod virtuoso, who received the 2025 Eastern Eye ACTA Award for Music. Blending the evocative timbre of the sarod with ambient textures, field recordings, spoken word, and immersive sound design, Travellers formed part of Datta’s seven-month ‘Melodies in Slow Motion’ tour across India, drawing audiences into a deeply reflective sonic experience.
Day 1 also featured a high-energy performance by Vasu Dixit Collective, known for their Electronic-Folk sound, rooted in Kannada and Hindi traditions. Led by singer-composer and filmmaker Vasu Dixit, the ensemble brought contemporary reinterpretations of works by saint-poets such as Basavanna and Kabir to life, through spirited, genre-blending arrangements that resonated strongly with the audience.
