Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: The 13th Ziro Festival of Music hits Arunachal Pradesh this fall. It runs from September 24 to 27. More than 40 artists from India and overseas will take the stage. Expect a mix of regional talent, established Indian performers, and acts from Algeria, Thailand, Palestine, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea, Nepal, Ireland, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
Organizers are ditching headliner hierarchy this year. Performers share the same platform regardless of fame. The Indian lineup features Sukhbir, Sneha Khanwalkar, Midival Punditz, Shakthisree Gopalan, Shanka Tribe, and Parikrama. Regional voices take the spotlight, too. Acts include Tripura busker Sukesh Suklabadya, Manipur's Chingleipak Collective and Yelhomie, Sikkim’s Tribal Rain, Nagaland’s Temsu Clover, Mizoram’s Mood Station, Assam’s Novo, and Arunachal Pradesh’s David Angu. Shikriwal, Kaali Duniya, Karan Kanchan, Swara Oza, and classical musicians Sarwar Hussain and Apoorv Krishna round out the Indian roster.
International guests include Sri Lanka’s Yohani, Algeria’s Fati Teniri, Palestinian-French producer Isam Elias, Nepal’s Phosphenes, Thailand’s GYMV, the Philippines’ Talahib, and South Korean act Moher. The event debuts Cosmos. This space hosts spontaneous jams and unscripted sets. It also marks the final chapter of Circuit Mixers, an electronic music exchange backed by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia. Featured artists include India’s Zequenx, South Africa’s Naledi Chai, and Switzerland-based Lua Jungck and Owelle.
Irish folk band Saltaire joins the festival for the first time. This residency, supported by Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, celebrates Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Beyond the music, the festival highlights the host Apatani community. Plans include the Daminda harvest dance, a presentation by the Apatani Women’s Association Ziro, and workshops on paddy flute making and pottery at Popi Sarmi Studio. Co-founder Bobby Hano confirmed the focus on connection. "Discovery and cross-cultural exchange continue to form the core of the festival’s vision," Hano said.
Comments