Ziro Festival 2023: A Guide To India's Greatest Outdoor Music Fest

The Ziro Festival of Music is an annual music extravaganza held in the picturesque town of Ziro, located in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The festival was founded in 2012 by Bobby Hano, a social activist and musician from Arunachal Pradesh, and Anup Kutty, a guitarist from the Delhi-based band Menwhopause.

Ziro Festival is one of India's most eco-friendly festivals, employing locally sourced materials for the infrastructure. The festival had two stages until last year, Donyi (Sun) and Polo (Moon), constructed by local artisans and made almost entirely of bamboo, inspired by the animist Donyi Polo faith prevalent in the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The Ziro festival has a zero-plastic policy and encourages attendees to be responsible for leaving behind no waste.

Some Interesting Facts About Ziro Festival

The festival showcases a diverse lineup of talented musicians and bands from various genres, such as folk, rock, jazz, blues, rap, and electronica. Notable performers who have graced the festival include Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Louw Majaw, Indus Creed, Prateek Kuhad, and Baba Sehgal.

The festival also promotes the indigenous music and culture of the region, with a particular emphasis on the Apatani tribe, who are the hosts of the festival. The Apatani are known for their unique traditions, such as facial tattoos and nose plugs, as well as their sustainable farming practices.

The festival's eco-friendly approach is also noteworthy. It uses locally sourced materials such as bamboo for the infrastructure and employs local community members to host attendees. The festival emphasises the importance of waste management and reusable materials.

It is worth noting that the festival has been included in the list of World Heritage sites status by UNESCO in the cultural landscape category.

Sustainability In Style

The festival is committed to sustainability and embraces a green philosophy that respects and preserves the natural environment. To achieve this goal, bamboo, an abundant local resource, is extensively used to construct the festival's infrastructure. The Ziro festival also promotes local culture and sustainable practices by involving Apatani artisans, who possess extensive knowledge and skills, in building the structures.

The organisers opt for biodegradable Tamul plates and leaves instead of plastic cutlery, which can take hundreds of years to decompose. Additionally, they eliminate flex hoarding and discourage the use of single-use plastic, making a commendable effort to reduce plastic pollution. Instead, ingeniously crafted signage from reclaimed wood and eco-friendly paint is used, further reducing its environmental footprint.

Water, a necessity for any festival attendee, is provided free of charge, with the festival encouraging attendees to bring their water bottles to minimise waste. In the same vein, drinks at the festival are served in sustainable bamboo mugs instead of single-use cups.

Takvr Stage: The Latest Addition

The Takvr stage is dedicated to electronic music and is curated by India’s leading electronic artist, Sapta aka Marti Bharath. It will feature an exceptional lineup of leading DJs and music producers from across the world, such as Kiss Nuka aka Anushka Manchanda, Angata from Israel, Barnet from Germany, and Lithuanian producer Leon Somov. If you enjoy electronic music, you should definitely visit the Takvr stage at the Ziro Festival of Music 2023. It's a limited-capacity area about five minutes from the main festival ground. The stage will be open from 7 pm to 3 am for four days.

A Four-Day Line Up For The Festival

There are a number of talented musicians and bands from India and abroad who are going to perform at the festival this year.

Techi Taning is a singer-songwriter from Arunachal Pradesh who sings in Nyishi, one of the state's indigenous languages. His music blends folk, rock, and pop elements and is known for his soulful voice and catchy melodies. He has released two albums, Nyishi Soul and Nyishi Rock.

Taba Chake is another singer-songwriter from Arunachal Pradesh who sings in Apatani, another indigenous language of the state. He is influenced by folk, indie, and acoustic genres and plays the guitar, ukulele, and harmonica.

Soulgroove is a fusion band from Delhi that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B.

Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar is a renowned flautist from Chennai who belongs to the Sikkil family of musicians.

Shourya Malhotra is a young rapper from Mumbai who goes by the stage name Shoury. He raps in Hindi and English and covers topics like social issues, politics, and personal experiences.

Shashikala Dani is a classical vocalist from Pune who specialises in Hindustani music. She has a rich and melodious voice and sings various genres like khayal, thumri, bhajan, and abhang.

Run Monday Run is a pop-rock band from Bangalore that plays upbeat and catchy songs that appeal to the youth and have a loyal fan base.

Puuluup is a duo from Estonia who play the talharpa, a traditional bowed lyre that is rare and unique. They create experimental music that mixes folk, rock, electronic, and ambient sounds.

Where To Stay

If you plan to attend the festival in 2023, you might want to book your accommodation in advance, as the demand and options are limited.

If you want to experience the local hospitality and culture, you can opt for a homestay in one of the nearby villages. You can enjoy the traditional food, interact with the friendly hosts, and learn about their customs and rituals. Some of the popular homestays are Abasa Homestay, Siiro Resort, and Ziro Valley Resort.

If you prefer a more comfortable and luxurious stay, you can choose from a few hotels and resorts that offer modern amenities and services. Some of the best hotels and resorts near the Ziro Festival are Ziro Palace Inn, Hotel Zimin Ziro, and Kasa Resort.

If you are looking for a more adventurous and budget-friendly option, you can also camp at the festival site or nearby locations. You can either bring your own tent and equipment or rent them from local vendors. You can also book your camping spot online on Camp Ziro or Camp Monk. Camping will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of Ziro Valley, mingle with other festival-goers, and have a memorable experience.

Getting There

By Air: One of the best ways to reach Ziro is by air, and the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam is a popular choice. The airport is around 450 kilometres from Ziro and offers good connectivity with regular flights from major cities across India.

By Rail: For festival attendees, the most preferred mode of travel is the overnight train from Guwahati to Naharlagun (Donyi Polo Express). From Naharlagun station, Ziro is a 3-hour drive, while it takes 4 hours to reach from Holongi airport and approximately 3.5 hours from Lilabari airport.

By Road: Ziro is a 3 hour drive from Naharlagun station, 4 hours from Holongi airport and about 3.5 hours from Lilabari airport. Please note that the roads can be bumpy depending on the weather, and landslides are common, so it's important to prepare accordingly.

Permit Requirements

To enter Arunachal Pradesh, which is a restricted area, one needs an official permission. If you are not a native of Arunachal Pradesh, you are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP). The good news is that getting the permit is routine for tourists and can be done online through the Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Management System. The fee to obtain the permit is approximately INR 100.