http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/6190.

html

Ladakh Confluence

Country and
India — Jammu and Kashmir
Region

Type of
Music
Festival

Location of
Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Festival

Festival
Address Email: share@theconfluence.in
Information

Set high up at 3,500m (11,500 feet) in the most remote and least
populated region of India, the Ladakh Confluence celebrates music,
art, heritage, culture and nature in one of the highest, driest
inhabited places of the world.

Ladakh, or ‘Little Tibet’, is in the Trans-Himalayan range on the

western edge of the Tibetan plateau. It’s known for its breathtaking
natural beauty and extreme climate, for the local Ladakhi
population’s gentle approach to life and close relationship with the
Earth, for its unparalleled blue skies and endangered wetlands.
Ladakh is also an extreme playground for adventure enthusiasts, a
pilgrimage for motorbike clubs, a biologically diverse hotspot for
scientists and conservationists, and now, the coolest festival
destination around.
Festival
Description The Confluence takes place on the banks of the Indus, and
promises world-class music performances, heritage architecture
restoration, a nature and adventure film festival, workshops,
children’s activities, Tangkha art, calligraphy, Ladakhi dance,
looming, photography, food and handicraft stalls, a peace/healing
tent, chang (Ladakhi barley beer)-making sessions and, of course,
a momo-eating contest.

The artist lineup is impressive, with eclectic folk, fusion and world
music, clean, dance-worthy acoustic sounds and spontaneous jam
sessions, all against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Allowing additional time for travel (the ride up to Leh is

spectacular), high-altitude acclimatisation (you’ll need about two
days) and adventure (Ladakh is India’s capital for white-water
 rafting, mountaineering, trekking, biking and exploration), the four-
day Confluence is even better as the highlight of a longer trip if you
can spare the time. Start planning your travel, pack your bags, and
don’t forget your thermals or your dancing shoes.

Festival Dates August 28 - 31, 2009

http://www.theconfluence.in
Festival Links http://tinyurl.com/mltgyy
http://twitter.com/Confluencefest

Festival Story:

Ladakh is a unique part of this planet. Set deep in the Indian Himalayas on the
western edge of the Tibetan plateau, Ladakh, or ‘Little Tibet’, is one of the highest
and driest inhabited places on earth. An extreme playground for adventure
enthusiasts, a pilgrimage for Indiaís bike clubs, and a biologically diverse hot spot for
scientists and conservationists, Ladakh is already on everyoneís mind.

The first-of-its-kind Ladkah Confluence, combines world renowned percussion

performances, adventure activities and cultural immersion, is the last inspiration
needed to get them all there this August. The Confluence is designed with
unwavering commitment to some essential core concepts. First among them is that
not only will the Confluence “Leave No Trace”, it will strive towards a negative
carbon footprint. Following in Ladakhís own footsteps of being the first Indian state
to successfully ban plastic bags, the Confluence’s waste management
implementation will include initiatives like limiting of resources required, strictly
enforcing recycling and composting, and fines for littering.

Discussions are on with the Ladakhi government to close off the festival areas of Leh
to vehicles, allowing for clear walking and biking paths between venues and
reduction of emission and noise pollution. For festival attendees who cannot bring
their own, bicycles will be provided for pick-up and drop off at stands outside venue
areas.

Festival Events:

Artist Lineup 2009 (artists subject to change):

• TALVIN SINGH (UK)

http://www.talvinsingh.com
Tabla magic to the max
• BAUCHKLANG (Austria)
http://www.bauchklang.at
The brain-blasting beatbox boys are back!
• TERRAKOTA (Portugal)
http://www.myspace.com/terrakota
High-energy roots, reggae & Afro-beat, Lisboa-style!
• DAVIDE SWARUP (Amsterdam/Italy)
http://www.davideswarup.com
Hang-drum delight
 • ORTAL PELLEG (Israel)
http://www.ortalpelleg.com
Hang-drum + didgeridoo mayhem
• RAHUL SHARMA (India)
http://www.rahulsantoor.com/
Magical, lyrical contemporary santoor
• RODNEY BRANIGAN (UK)
http://www.rodneybraniganmusic.com
One man. Two guitars. Eleven thousand five hundred feet
• RAJASTHAN ROOTS (India)
http://www.myspace.com/rajasthanroots
Experimental, dance-worthy Rajasthani ambient-folk
• ROBERTO NARAIN (India)
http://www.drumjam.in
Drum circle supreme
• GATEWAYS (India)
http://www.musicaproductions.com/
Gujarati tribal music & dance meets modern Swiss jazz
• SOULMATE (India)
http://myspace.com/soulmateshillong
India’s favourite blues band rocks the mountains
• SHAA’IR + FUNC (India + USA)
http://www.shaairandfunc.com
The electro-pop duo reveal their new acoustic avatar
• Plus many more…

Nature, Culture, Art & Fun:

• Nature & adventure film festival

• Heritage architecture restoration
• Tangkha art
• Calligraphy workshops
• Ladakhi dance
• Ladakhi looming classes
• Photography workshops
• Children’s activities
• Peace & healing tent
• Drum circle
• ‘Chang’-making sessions (local Ladakhi barley beer)
• Momo-eating contest
• Waste management
• Happy Planet initiatives: fines for littering, karma points for reducing waste &
helping clean up
• ‘Karma Yogi’ cleanup task force led by 25 Ladakhi monks

Practical Info:

Venue:

• Choglamsar (Tibetan refugee settlement)

Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India