Nisha Joshi (Portland) is a traditional Rajasthani folk song artist. These folk songs describe the daily life of villagers, nature, religion, and festivals in the Indian state of Rajasthan. A Master Artist with the Oregon Folklife Network’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program in 2012 Joshi runs the Portland based Swaranjali Academy of Indian Music, and teaches vocal, harmonium, sitar, and tabla lessons from her home.
Bio
Nisha Joshi is a teacher and performer of Rajasthani folk songs, the traditional music of Rajasthan, India. These songs, performed solo and in groups, describe the daily life of the villagers; they incorporate aspects of nature, religion, festivals, and important life cycle events such as childbirth. Relatively simple tunes enable everyone to join in. The harmonium, dholak, manjeera, and ravanhatha, traditional musical instruments, accompany the lead vocalist. Dancers also take part in these festive performances. Joshi holds an MA and PhD in Indian Classical Music from the University of Delhi, where she taught Indian classical music at the graduate level for over six years. She regularly performed both Indian classical and folk music on Delhi radio and television. In 1984, Joshi moved with her husband to the United States. In 1990, the couple settled in Portland, Oregon where Joshi established the Swaranjali Academy of Indian Music. There she gives vocal, harmonium, sitar, and tabla lessons to over seventy students. In 2005, Joshi’s school affiliated with Pracheen Kala Kendra University in Chandigarh, India. She has organized vocal and instrumental examinations through this university, which enables students to receive a certificate recognized by Indian universities. Joshi is a board member of Kalakendra, the Society for the Performing Arts of India and continues to perform at community events and to choreograph Rajasthani folk dance. In 1995, she was selected to participate in Jack Straw Productions’ Traditional Artist Support Program which later performed at the 1996 Seattle Folklife Festival. Joshi is a 2012 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program awardee with Oregon Folklife Network.
