You are invited to Raaga Science’s musical retreats of the Jodhpur gharana, the music school that traces its roots to Jodhpur’s founding by the Rathore clan in the 15C, to become capital of great Marwar kingdom.  Spend a weekend in the Rajasthan countryside to listen and relax as Ustad Nawab Khan, maestro of the santoor, tells the story of India’s most ancient form of classical music, the raaga, from its beginnings through formalisation at royal courts to today’s freer expressions.  

Together, we shall experience sunrise and sunset ragas led by Nawab and relatives among his ninth-generation musician family who play a variety of instruments.  Nawab will give us music-talks sharing his lifelong knowledge.  He will also show us how to enjoy a moon bath, listen to experimental raaga science, and start the discipline of naada yoga – listening to your internal sound.

 We shall learn how Sufism took root in India and how it helped develop the remarkably syncretic culture of Rajasthan, expressed in the raaga.  It was this raaga tradition that later inspired poetry and paintings developed at the Rajasthan courts of Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sirohi and Amber-Jaipur.

During our stay we shall have special opportunities: to hear Nawab and his family play in a temple garden and at their favourite spot in the Thar Desert; to visit tabla-makers, lac bangle craftsmen, private havelis and local markets in Jodhpur’s walled city; and to learn how to cook one or two of Nawab’s family recipes, then enjoy the meal together.  There will be some extra surprises, too!

Although you are encouraged to follow Nawab in mediation, please know that nothing is compulsory.  It’s fine to skip sunrise in favour of sleeping, meditation in favour of reading a good book. 

We shall share this intimate experience at Pal Garh, a beautifully restored fort-palace outside Jodhpur.  Pal Garh and its 20 bedrooms are ours for the weekend; there will be no daily visitors.  Throughout our stay, two ayurvedic masseurs will be on hand to nourish our bodies and help us relax that little bit more so we find true spiritual and physical wellbeing.

Come and join a raaga festival retreat created for you by Nawab.