Picture this: blanketed by lush valleys, lofty mountains, and quaint cityscape, you witness the echoing beats of India’s leading indie artists, classical musicians, and international stars. Welcome to the Ziro Festival 2023 — you’re officially in the company of the stalwarts of symphony. Hosted by the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro city, this annual revelry spans over 4 days. 2023 marks the 10th edition of this music festival along with the sweet promise of exciting activities, regional delicacies, fleeting views, and music that’ll delight all your senses.
The Ziro Festival of Arunachal Pradesh was conceived in 2012 by Bobby Hano and guitarist Anup Kutty from the rock band ‘Menwhopause’. The outdoor festival aims to bring like-minded individuals together and raise a toast to music, cultural diversity, and sustainability.
What is the Ziro Music Festival?
With a dynamic debut in 2012 and resounding success over the years, the Ziro Music Festival endeavours to celebrate independent music artists from India and beyond. This year, the festival will feature 47 indie acts, out of which there will be 13 international artists. In the past decade, the Ziro Festival of Music has risen to become a must-visit destination on every music circuit.
Artists performing at The Ziro Music Festival 2023
The electrifying acts at Ziro Music Festival 2023 will be spread across three stages: the Danyi (sun) stage, the Pwlo (moon) stage, and the newly added Takvr (star) stage dedicated solely to electronic music. For starters, the daytime Danyi stage will pay homage to classical music and will be on from 12 pm to 5 pm. Its coveted line-up features the likes of Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shashikala Dani of Jal Tarang, Joydip Mukherjee, and acclaimed Carnatic flautist Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar. This eclectic line-up will be followed by Mohit Chauhan and Chorun Mulgi, in addition to international maestros like South Africa’s Guy Buttery, Estonian folk duo Puuluup, and Indonesia’s Ary Juliyant. And that, dear readers, is just stage 1!
The Pwlo stage will be headlined by Farhan Akhtar’s band Farhan Echos and the newest heartthrob, Taba Chake from Arunachal. These gigs will be followed by high-octane performances by MC Altaf, Lee Ranaldo, and Lithuanian artist Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys. Other artists performing on this stage include Australian rock group Mannequin Death Squad, The Boo Boo Bama Orchestra from Sweden, India’s Komorebi (remember Made In Heaven’s title track?), and Delhi’s underground star Chaar Diwaari, among others. This stage will go on from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Related Stories
Lastly, the newly added Takvr stage promises an electronic extravaganza that will roll into the wee hours of the morning. It will feature Indian artists like Kissnuka aka Anushka Manchanda, Nagaland’s DJ Ina, Deep Brown, Smokey Sound, and Unnayanaa. Overseas stars like Angata from Israel, Sebastian Fuchs from Germany, and Leon Somov from Lithuania will grace the stage as well which will be on from 7 pm to 3 am!
The sustainability pledge
The festival is put together using locally sourced, eco-friendly materials like bamboo and wood — which are recycled and reused every year. The entire expanse of the infrastructure, including the stages, is made by the local Apatani tribes while adhering to sustainable practices like the zero-plastic policy, composting, using the biodegradable Tamul plates and leaves to ditch plastic cutlery, serving drinks in bamboo mugs, among other efforts. Even the signages are crafted using reclaimed wood and eco-conscious paint, thereby reducing the festival’s carbon footprint.
You too can contribute to Ziro’s sustainable spirit by bringing your own bottle and filling it at the water stations at the concert grounds. Additionally, avoid littering the premises and partake in the Plogging Drive, which involves jogging and picking up the litter, post the performances.
Major attractions to explore at The Ziro Music Festival
Apart from the performances, you can utilise the 4 days to truly embrace the Apatani culture. Rent a bicycle and peddle through the paddy fields, engage in community learning workshops, sign up for a yoga and meditation session, or savour the locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine. You can also join the Signature Masterclasses with ace mixologist Yangdup Lama, who’s known for concocting cocktails out of local ingredients.
Beyond the festival, embark on a guided tour of the Ziro village, pay respects at the Shri Sidheshwar Nath Temple, or treat yourself to a winery tour of Naara Aaba (India’s first-ever brand of Kiwi wine) perched in the Hong Village. For the best views, we recommend heading to the Kile Pakho Ridge, which boasts a plateau on one side, and the snow-shrouded Himalayan range, Nyime Pembu, on the other.
Ziro Music Festival 2023 — dates, tickets & prices
This year, the festival will be held from September 28 to October 1. While the single-day passes start at INR 2,500, the four-day passes retail at INR 6,000. The tickets can be purchased online, on the festival’s official website. However, make sure to carry a printout of the ticket along with a relevant photo ID to confirm your entry and get the festival wristband. The tickets are non-refundable and do not cover accommodation and food.
In addition to the tickets, you need one of the two permits — Inner Line Permit and Protected Area Permit — to attend the festival. Indian citizens (barring the natives of Arunachal Pradesh) need the Inner Line Permit which can be bought from Arunachal Pradesh’s dedicated website for the same; a 14-day e-permit costs INR 100. On the other hand, all foreigners travelling to the festival need a Protected Area Permit which can be bought from the official website of the Foreign Regional Registration Office; the 10-day permit costs USD 30 (INR 2,496.38) and is not issued to solo travellers.
Ziro Music Festival — location & how to reach?
The unique venue is surrounded by sights of North Eastern villages, rice fields, and flowing rivers. As a matter of fact, the Ziro Valley was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sights recently.
By air: Hollongi Airport is the closest airport, 131 km away
By train: Naharlagun Railway Station is the closest station, 90.4 km away
The currency conversions were done at the time of writing
Main and Feature Image Credit: @mohit.concertphotography/Instagram
Related: ZoukOut Singapore 2023: Dates, Ticket Prices, Line-Up, And More
FAQs
– How long does the Ziro music festival last?
The Ziro Music Festival lasts for 4 days.
– Where to stay during the Ziro music festival?
You can stay at one of the many campsites around the festival. We recommend Kite Manja, Stay High Adventures, and Camp Zingaros. Encamp Adventures allows you to BYOT (bring Your Own Tent), if that’s something you prefer. Additionally, you can also consider the homestays, or hotels like Ziro Palace Inn, Hotel BluePine, and Siiro Resort.
– How do I get tickets for the Ziro Music Festival?
You can purchase the tickets online from Ziro Music Festival’s official website.
– Is camping available at the festival site?
Yes, there are several campsites available around the festival site like Kite Manja, Stay High Adventures, and Camp Zingaros. Moreover, Encamp Adventures allows you to BYOT (bring Your Own Tent) too.
– What types of music can I expect at Ziro Music Festival?
One can expect classical, electronic fusions, folk-jazz-blues, rap music, ethnic beats, and soulful melodies at the festival.
– What should I bring to the Ziro Music Festival?
There is a slight chance of rainfall in Ziro at this time of the year. To be on the safer side, we recommend carrying basic rain gear like gumboots, raincoats, and umbrellas. The nearby Hapoli market also sells rainwear.
– Is Ziro Music Festival family-friendly?
Yes, the festival is family-friendly and tickets are free for children under 12 years of age. There are several activities for kids like scavenger hunts, nature walks, etc.
– Can I volunteer at the Ziro Music Festival?
Yes, you can head to Ziro Music Festival’s official website to volunteer and join the tribe. You can participate in the capacity of an artist, sponsor/CSR initiative, volunteer, or workshop, among other options.
– Are there any nearby attractions to explore in Ziro Valley?
From the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to Shri Sidheshwar Nath Temple and paddy fish farms, there’s plenty to explore in the Ziro Valley.
Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
