Aarrass Records, the independent label renowned for its work in preserving India’s living folk traditions, announces the new season of Amarrass Music Tours. This edition brings back Himalayan Baithak and Thar Blues—two remarkable experiences that reimagine travel as an act of cultural discovery and human connection. Rooted in the principles of slow travel and sustainability, these tours invite guests to engage deeply with India’s traditional music and the communities that keep it alive.

Conceived as an alternative to conventional tourism, Amarrass Music Tours invite travellers to move beyond observation and step into participation — to listen, learn, and live alongside artists within their own worlds. Guests share home-cooked meals, conversations, and moments of spontaneous creativity with musicians and artisans whose art forms have been nurtured and preserved across generations. Each journey is thoughtfully designed to uphold authenticity, dignity, and equitable engagement for the artists, while offering travellers an intimate window into the living cultural soul of India — where tradition and contemporary life continue to breathe as one.

Rooted in the philosophy of slow travel, the tours invite guests to savour home-cooked meals with artists, witness intimate moments of musical practice, and engage with traditional crafts guided by the very custodians who keep them alive.

Himalayan Baithak: The World’s Smallest Festival

Set in the pristine hills of Uttarakhand, Himalayan Baithak offers one of India’s most intimate musical retreats. Limited to twenty guests, the experience unfolds at Soulitude by the Riverside, a tranquil luxury retreat nestled along the Kalsa River in Chanfi, near Nainital. Here, the devotional power of Qawwali meets the lyrical grace of Kumaoni folk traditions, creating an atmosphere where music, nature, and reflection merge into one.

Over the course of two days, guests share an immersive baithak with Rehmat-e-Nusrat and HimaliMou, engage in a Kumaoni farm-to-table cooking session hosted by local artists, and explore the region’s natural beauty through a guided hike to a hidden alpine lake. Evenings are marked by soulful performances, storytelling, and informal conversations that offer an authentic glimpse into Kumaoni life and its musical legacy.

Himalayan Baithak will take place on November 7–9, December 12–14, January 16–18, February 20–22, and March 20–22 (2025–26). Participation is by invitation to preserve the intimacy and integrity of the experience. Prices start at ₹81,000 per person, inclusive of accommodation, meals, artist interactions, and activities. Travel to the starting point is not included.

Thar Blues: Echoes of the Desert

From the Himalayas to the sands of Rajasthan, Thar Blues offers a journey into the heart of the Thar Desert, where music continues to resonate through its dunes and sandstone villages. Hosted in Jaisalmer, this tour is a celebration of the region’s oral and musical traditions, led by artists whose craft embodies centuries of desert storytelling.

Travellers experience a sunset performance by the globally celebrated Barmer Boys at Gadisar Lake, followed by intimate music sessions and storytelling at the ancestral home of Padma Shri Sakar Khan. They also participate in a hands-on morchang workshop with a master craftsman and visit Shankara Suthar, one of the last surviving makers of the Kamaicha, Rajasthan’s traditional bowed instrument. The experience culminates in a traditional Rajasthani feast shared with local musicians under the desert sky.

Thar Blues will be held on November 22–23, December 20–21, January 24–25, February 14–15, and March 14–15 (2025–26). Participation is by invitation only, limited to small groups to ensure a personal and respectful engagement with the artists and their craft. Prices start at ₹21,000 per person, inclusive of accommodation, meals, artist sessions, and activities. Travel to the starting point is not included.

Upcoming Artist Performances

Amarrass Records also announces the upcoming live performances of its leading ensembles. Rehmat-e-Nusrat, one of India’s most soulful Sufi groups, will perform at Nainital on November 1 (Himalayan Echoes), Mumbai on November 20 (Royal Opera House), New Delhi on November 28 (The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, Saket), and Gurgaon on November 29 (The Piano Man, 32nd Avenue).

The acclaimed Barmer Boys, global ambassadors of desert folk fusion, will perform at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, Saket on December 25, and at The Piano Man, 32nd Avenue, Gurgaon on December 26.