Hill Station Musical Masti – Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival 2017
April 14-16 at Baikunth Resorts
Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival is the flagship event of an amazing charity called The Genesis Foundation. The Festival is set in the gorgeous rolling mountain landscape of popular Hill Station, Kasauli, Himachal Pardesh. The small cantonment town is said to be a hiker’s paradise as most of it is easily accessible by foot. Not only is the town easy to travel to it has a rich history as its development took place during the British rule and it’s famous for its colonial style architecture.
In even more ancient, mythological history the town is even features in the Ramayana! Lord Hanuman is said to have placed foot on the town while in search for herbs to heal the wounded Lakshman. So in addition to this accessible, picturesque landscape, colonial and mythological history – The Genesis Foundation creates its own contemporary mark on this wonderful town.
The Kasauli Rhythm and Blues festival is now in its 6th year running and has been steadily gaining a reputation as one of the most anticipated music festivals in the country.
(photo courtesy of The Genesis Foundation)
Music festivals have long been considered one of the best ways to enjoy and explore new locations. Like minded souls from far and near, all in one place, all enjoying the same creative vibes. It becomes a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and lasting memories. So why not make this idyllic Hill Station fiesta one of your keepsake memories of 2017?
The Kasauli Rhythm and Blues festival is a 3 day event beginning on Friday the 14th of April and ending on Sunday the 16th. Friday features performance from the band Late Too Soon, an Indore based 4 piece influenced by Rock n Roll, blues, Funk and Soul. The Rajeev Raja Combine will also grace the stage with his exciting global fusion band mixing elements of Jazz, Indian Classical and world music. Along with Folk-rock band ‘Natsya’, Delhi based, award winning ‘Swatantra’ rock band ‘Eka’.
Saturday brings the Kamakshi Khana Collective, Mumbai-based neo-fusion rock band Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Café, Indo-Canadian singer Jonita Gandhi and our favourite Bollywood hits. And the final day is a fun filled interactive day of drum circle activities and meditation workshops – the perfect way to end the weekend and to refresh you for the trip back to normal life.
Passes for the event can be availed at www.genesis-foundation.net
All money raised through this Festival go back into funding the charitable work of the Genesis Foundation. This facilitates medical treatment for critically ill under-privileged children suffering with Heart Disorders. The support required in the said critical illness varies from specific surgeries (including neonatal), Cath Lab Interventions along with recovery and recuperation post-surgery.
So far, they have supported medical treatment of over 1000 critically ill children. The children supported by the Foundation belong to families with an income of less than Rs10,000 per month and the parents and caregivers are unable to afford treatment of these children who suffer from a serious life-threatening ailment.
As well as enjoying the music, sites and atmosphere over the weekend, it’s also your chance to do your bit to help save those little hearts.
(Photo courtesy of The Genesis Foundation)
How to Travel to Kasauli
The easiest way to reach Kasauli from Delhi is by train. There are numerous trains running daily from Delhi to Shimla and Kalka (Shimla being just 13km away from Kasauli and Kalka 25km)
While Delhi is the closest international airport to Kasauli, it is possible to travel via internal flight to Shimla airport, or to Chandigarh airport, then travel to Kasuali by taxi.
(Route map from Shimla Train Station to Baikunth Resort)
Places to stay in Kasauli
It is indeed possible to stay at Luxury holiday getaway Baikunth Resorts for the duration of the festival, however if you’re on a tighter budget a starting price of Rs. 9000 may not be music to your ears. Fear not though because there is no shortage of accommodation available in Kasauli. There are two bedroom private homes available from just RS. 2069 a night, and with websites like www.airbnb.co.in finding affordable accommodation is simpler than ever.
