Dancing Peacock is bringing back the Singing Sands Heritage Festival for its second edition from October 10 to 12. Set against the evocative backdrop of the 275-year-old Dundlod Fort in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region, the festival promises a curated blend of folk music, guided heritage walks, hands-on craft sessions, storytelling, and traditional cuisine, offering guests an intimate encounter with the living traditions and artistry of Rajasthan.
After a debut in 2024 that drew visitors from across India and overseas, the festival returns with a focus on small-scale, close-knit experiences. Special highlights this year include a workshop with folk instrument makers, a visit to the world-renowned Dundlod Stud Farm of Thakur Raghuvendra Singh (Bonnie Bana), immersive horse safaris across the desert landscape, experiences at traditional desert camps, and a tour of a restored haveli-turned museum. All of this is set within the historic Dundlod Fort, built in 1750 by Thakur Kesari Singh, which serves as both the current royal residence and an enduring symbol of Rajput-Mughal architectural fusion, providing an immersive setting that embodies the festival’s spirit of living heritage
Naveen Tripathi, Festival Producer, said, “Singing Sands is imagined as a boutique heritage festival; intimate, immersive, and rich with cultural experiences. At Dundlod Fort, music, crafts, and stories unfold within courtyards and havelis, creating a retreat that feels both exclusive and deeply engaging. Every performance and workshop is designed to draw people closer to Rajasthan’s living traditions, not as spectators but as participants. The festival is a cultural escape where you slow down, connect with the roots of heritage, and leave with moments that stay with you long after you return to everyday life.”
Festival Director, Vinod Joshi, said, “What makes Singing Sands so unique is the way traditions and settings come alive together. A folk singer in a haveli courtyard, a sarangi blending with global instruments, or the discovery of unseen crafts against the backdrop of mesmerizing architecture are experiences that cannot be recreated elsewhere. The festival is as much about the joy of engaging with artists as it is about enjoying the music itself. With its workshops, storytelling walks, and shared feasts under starlit skies, Singing Sands becomes a cultural getaway that is exciting, memorable, and unlike anything audiences would find in a conventional setting.”
The festival also emphasizes inclusivity, with women artists and artisans playing a central role. Meals highlight regional recipes, and children aged 12 and under can attend free of charge, encouraging young visitors to experience Rajasthan’s vibrant traditions in an engaging and enjoyable way. The second edition of Singing Sands goes beyond being a cultural showcase; it offers a chance to truly be part of Rajasthan’s living traditions in an authentic and personal way.
