India - The Assam Musical Adventure Specialist music

Information & reservations
+44 (0)20 7501 6375/6741
tours@mastertravel.co.uk
www.songlinesmusictravel.com
India - The Assam Musical Adventure
Specialist music and cultural tour
Bihu girls at the Sribsagar Rang Ghar
In association with
8th-17th April 2016
Songlines Music Travel, in association with
Master Travel and Sound Travels, invites
music lovers and travellers alike on this
wonderful trip to the unexplored state of
Assam, India. This tour will give you a unique
insight into the music and heritage of this
fascinating landscape.
Accompanied by English musicologist Georgie
Pope and Assamese classical dancer Jodumoni
Saikia, you will gain unique access to the artists
and musicians of the region and intimate
understanding of the places you visit.
Highlights include:
● Performances of the monastic Sattriya Dance
as well as Lokogeet (Local folk music)
● Stay at Banyan Grove heritage hotel
● Jeep safari through Kaziranga National Park
● Local party in honour of the festival of Bihu
Songlines Music Travel tours are operated by Master Travel Ltd. Please see our booking conditions on the website.
For more details about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate
Our ATOL number is 3800.
What to expect
During the Spring festival of Bihu, the luscious northeastern
Indian state of Assam explodes into a carnival of music,
dancing, hospitality and abundance: a celebration of the very
best of Assamese culture.
On our journey we’ll meet the monks who have developed
and passed down Sattriya classical dance and Borgeet music,
drummers who play all festival long in their neighbours’ front
yards, the girls who perform the graceful Bihu dance, and
experts with a goldmine of stories to share with you. Our
musical journey takes us to villages and homes, through vast
tea estates and deep into the protected marshes and forests of
Kaziranga Nature Reserve.
Kolkata and Jorhat
Our journey will begin in Kolkata, where you will meet
Georgie Pope and the rest of the group and enjoy your first
evening together with a special musical performance. The
next morning we will fly to Jorhat and transfer to the Banyan
Grove, a heritage hotel located in the Gatoonga Tea Estate,
where we will be greeted with a welcome tea. For our first
This is an incredible tour. We had the
privilege of meeting musicians in their
own homes and villages, and listening
to their music was an experience of a
lifetime that I will never forget.
Tiki Kyte, Rajasthan Musical Expedition,
India, 2014
evening in Assam, we will hear a performance of Zikir music,
the sufi songs of Assam.
Jorhat, Sivasagar and Majuli Island
The next morning we will drive to Sivasagar, capital of the
ancient Ahom kingdom, where we will explore the monuments
and temples of this region.
After a hearty lunch, we will catch an afternoon ferry across
the Brahmaputra river to the island of Majuli, for an evening of
Mishing hospitality, music and rice beer! The Mishing are the
largest community on the island. They live in bamboo houses on
stalks, built to resist the floods which erode the island each year.
Majuli Island
After a good night’s rest, we will be taken on a tour of the
musical riches of the island with Govinda, a devotee of Uttar
Kamalabari Sattra, one of the biggest monasteries on Majuli
Island. We will hear a performance of folksong, flute and
tokari or dotara – a local guitar-like instrument, and see the
many arts of the sattras (monasteries), including classical
dance, kirtan (devotional singing) and mask-making.
Majuli Island to Kaziranga
The next morning we cross the Brahmaputra River and drive
to the stunning Diphlu River Lodge, for a touch of luxury in
Kaziranga National Park. This is a world heritage site which
hosts two thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros, and
boasts an unusually high density of tigers.
Kaziranga to Golaghat
After an early rise, we will head out on a jeep safari through
Kaziranga for the chance to spot the impressive wildlife
Mati Akhara demonstration by monks in the Komalbari Sattra’s nam ghar
Elephant Safari at Kaziranga Nature
Reserve
Golaghat
including elephants, one-horned rhinos, bears, deer and maybe
tigers or panthers if we are really lucky!
After the safari we will drive to Golaghat for a tour of a tea
estate and afternoon tea with the owners.
In the evening, we will enjoy a performance of Kamrupia
Lokogeet (local folk songs) and you can learn a fun Bihu song
too, for those who feel up to it. This will definitely help us later
in the tour when we are at the local party for the Bihu festival.
The next day, we will drive to a beautiful district of
Merapani, around an hour south of Golaghat, for a
performance of Bagaramba – the gorgeous dance of
the Bodo tribe.
After lunch in the village, we’ll head to Melamora
village for a performance of jhumur and saora – the dance
and songs of Assam’s tea workers.
Top facts about Assamese culture and music
● The joyous, risque songs of the Assamese new year –
known as bihu geet – are performed by young and old,
in huge state-sponsored events and by smaller troupes
performing door-to-door.
● The Assamese dhol – the twin-faced drum played
with hand and stick – is played by nearly every boy in
the state. It beats the catchy triplet beat which drives
dancers wild all through the Spring.
● Sattriya dance has been cultivated in Assam’s
monasteries for over six hundred years, and has only
just started to emerge.
● Through dance, drama, masquerade and song, monks
perform stories from the life of Lord Krishna, one of
India’s most famous gods.
● The 16th-century poet-saint Sankardev wrote most
of the songs that are sung in the monasteries today.
Though his entire opus was burnt in an accidental fire,
devotees had memorised most of his work.
● You can learn a lot about the flora and fauna of
●
●
●
●
Assam from its musical instruments. The pepa pipe
is made from the horn of the swamp buffalo, found
only in Assam. Mouth-harps, flutes and percussion
instruments are skillfully crafted from the bamboo
which grows in abundance.
Zikir is the beautiful lyrical music of Assam’s
substantial muslim population.
An elephant never forgets... a good tune. Assam’s
mahouts – or elephant trainers – sing beautiful haunting
melodies to calm and train their animals.
Assam is famous for its tea, but less is known about
the pickers who work the gardens. Descended from
indentured labourers brought from many different parts of
India by the British, Assam’s tea labourers brings stories,
songs and dances from Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and beyond.
Bhupen Hazarika is Assam’s most popular singer. He
was influenced by Civil Rights activist Paul Robeson,
and his major hit Boisa Kion, sung in Assamese, Hindi
and English, was based on Robeson’s Old Man River.
Shops at Nimati Ghat (to catch ferry to Majuli island)
Dhol (drum), Hatuli (ocarina), Pepa (horn) and ladies
Information & reservations
+44 (0)20 7501 6375/6741
tours@mastertravel.co.uk
www.songlinesmusictravel.com
Reloading the ferry back to the mainland
at Rang Ghar, Sribsagar
in traditional bihu dress for their school performance
“Great tripGirls
– going
to villages
and meeting musicians in
intimate settings we could
never have experienced without
Georgie Pope’s knowledge and
Bhordal Nritya at Rang Ghar, Sribsagar
contacts. We were looked after
extremely well.”
d
Ken and Janet Carter, Rajasthan Musical Expedition,
India, 2014
Golaghat to Jorhat
For those of us who like a challenge, there is an optional
morning trip to Deopahar ruins, up about two-hundred
steps! If this activity is too much, have a swim or a lie-in!
But the ruins are highly recommended.
At lunch time, we’ll go to the home of well-known local
character Mrinal Saikia, a friend of Georgie Pope, your
guide, who kindly invites us to his annual house party,
held in honour of the festival of Bihu. When the party is
in full swing, truck-loads of performers arrive and dance
the traditional folk dances of the festive period! This is the
moment to share a song, for those who want to contribute
a party piece, or try out the Assamese bihu geet we learnt
earlier in the tour.
After the party, we drive back to Banyan Grove in Jorhat
and will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Kolkata,
ers,where
Rang we
Ghar,
will Sribsagar
enjoy our last evening together, sharing
memories and experiences from this magical trip.
Seventeenth century Ahom palace
Photographs, clockwise from top left: Mati Akhara
demonstration by monks in the Komalbari Sattra’s nam
ghar; Husori boys; Elephant Safari at Kaziranga Nature
Reserve; Bhordal Nritya at Rang Ghar, Sribsagar; Girls
Tea tribe dancers, Rang Ghar, Sribsagar
in traditional bihu dress for their school performance;
Seventeenth century Ahom palace; Tea tribe dancers,
Rang Ghar, Sribsagar
Information & reservations
+44 (0)20 7501 6375/6741
tours@mastertravel.co.uk
www.songlinesmusictravel.com
India - The Assam Musical Adventure Friday 8th - Sunday 17th April 2016
Key:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Please note that this is a provisional itinerary only. The
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final itinerary
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be confirmed
pre-departure
pack which will be sent to you 2 weeks before departure.
8th April: Kolkata
AM/PM: Arrive at Kolkata Airport, where you will be
transferred to the hotel.
EVE: Meet Georgie Pope and the rest of your group for
a Welcome dinner and musical performance.
9th April: Kolkata to Jorhat
AM: Transfer to Kolkata Airport for late morning flight
to Jorhat
PM: Arrive at Jorhat airport, and transfer to Banyan
Grove Hotel, a heritage hotel located in the Gatoonga
Tea Estate. Here we will enjoy a welcome tea.
EVE: Performance of Zikir music, the sufi songs of
Assam.
10th April: Majuli Island
AM: Explore the monuments and temples of Sivasagar,
capital of the ancient Ahom kingdom.
PM: After lunch, catch a ferry across the Brahmaputra
river to the island of Majuli, for an evening of Mishing
hospitality, music and rice beer.
11th April: Majuli Island
AM/PM: Tour of the musical riches of the island. Visit
a local school, hear singing and see classical dance, song
and mask-making.
12th April: Kaziranga
AM: Time at leisure
PM: Drive to the stunning Diphlu River Lodge in
Kaziranga National Park.
13th April: Golaghat
AM: Jeep safari through Kaziranga
PM: Visit a tea estate and have afternoon tea with the
owners.
EVE: Performance of Kamrupia Lokogeet (local folk
songs) from singer Julee Dehingiya.
14th April: Golaghat
AM: Drive to a beautiful village in Merapani and enjoy a
performance of Bagaramba by the Bodo tribe.
PM: Drive to Melamora for a performance of jhumur
and saora - the dance and songs of Assam’s tea workers.
15th April: Jorhat
AM: Optional morning hike to Deopahar ruins
PM: At lunch time, visit the home of well known local
character Mrinal Saikia, for his annual house party, held
in honour of the festival of Bihu. After the party, we
drive back to Banyan Grove
16th April: Jorhat to Kolkata
PM: Transfer from Banyan Grove to Jorhat Airport for
flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and
enjoy your last dinner with the group.
17th April: Departure from Kolkata
AM/PM: We will transfer you from your hotel to
Kolkata Airport for your onward journey.
Information & reservations
+44 (0)20 7501 6375/6741
tours@mastertravel.co.uk
www.songlinesmusictravel.com
Tour price excluding flights to/from Kolkata: £2,195 per person
Secure your place with a £220 deposit, with the remainder payable in instalments
Single travellers: A single supplement
of £350 is payable if you wish to
guarantee a single room. This does not
apply if you opt to share a twin room
with a fellow participant.
The cost includes:
● Accommodation: Seven nights’ hotel
accommodation in standard to deluxe
hotel rooms with attached bathroom.
Two nights in bamboo Mishing-style
houses, with attached bathroom and hot
water brought on request. Twin share
basis, or single on payment of supplement.
● Internal flights between Kolkata
and Jorhat
● Transport: All ground transportation, as
detailed in the itinerary, for airport/hotel/
rail station transfers and all sightseeing in
an air-conditioned chauffeur-driven vehicle
● Guide and Group Leader: Stories,
explanations and translations by
Jadumoni Saikia, monk and classical
dancer from Uttar Kamalabri Sattra
and Georgie Pope, ethnomusicologist,
musician and group leader
● All musical activities listed in the
itinerary above
The cost excludes:
Early Bird
booking: £2,050 per person
valid only until
29th January 2016
*After 29th January 2016, the tour price will
be fixed at £2,195 for all travellers
● Entrance tickets to museums
and monuments (around 100 INR =
approx £1 each)
● International flights to/from Kolkata
● Tips to hotel staff, drivers and guides
● Transfers between Kolkata Airport
and the first/last hotel
● Visas and travel insurance. Please ensure
you purchase adequate insurance cover
before you leave home.
● Alcoholic drinks, dinners, snacks or any
purchases of a personal nature
● Meals as per itinerary
● Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
● Anything not specified in the inclusions
and itinerary above
International flights to/from Kolkata
We would be delighted to arrange your flights to and from Kolkata if you wish. Please contact the Master Travel office on +44 (0)20 7501 6375/6741
The king of Assam
or tours@mastertravel.co.uk for current prices and availability.
Please note that all itineraries in India are subject to change according to local conditions. Due to the nature of the tour, places are limited.
Rang Ghar, Sribsagar
Probin Soikia’s tokari (top) and dotara (bottom)