The most happening music festival in the laps of the green valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the Ziro Music Festival is an outdoor music festival that showcases the talent of independent artists in India. This festival brings together the most significant musical talents of India and a diverse audience to witness it. Ziro Music Festival is an amalgam of vibrant culture, music, and art. Initiated in 2012, by Bobby Hano and Menwhopause guitarist Anup Kutty spans over four days and is hosted by the members of the Apatani tribe in Ziro.
Dates of Ziro Festival of Music 2024
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The festival dates for this year are 26th September to 29th September 2024. Early Bird Tickets are available on the website for INR 5,000. You need to get a printout of the same along with a photo ID to get the festival wristband. The ticket does not include accommodation and food. The ticket money is non-refundable even if some performances are cancelled.
About Ziro Music Festival
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The Ziro valley is the home to Apatani tribe. The Apatani tribe is famous for their hospitality and their love for music. The Ziro Music Festival gives an outlet to this penchant for music and the desire to have an organised music festival. The festival draws music lovers from distant parts of the country. It is an outdoor festival which is celebrated with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Apart from being a fertile opportunity to showcase the talents and music of North East, the festival also helps to promote tourism in the state. National and international artists like Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Louw Majaw, Sha'air n Func, Indus Creed, Peter Cat Recording Co, Menwhopause, Guru Rewben Mashangva, and Barmer Boys have been a part of the festival. Along with a fantastic musical treat for four days, the audience also gets accommodation facility in camps near the venue keeping them near their favourite artists and sessions.
Entry Formalities for Ziro Festival of Music
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There are some official permits one requires to be a part of the festival. These include:
1. Inline Permit: Indian citizens, excluding natives of Arunachal Pradesh, need Inline Permit or ILP to enter any place in Arunachal Pradesh. The ILP can be acquired either online or can be obtained from the Government Authorities of Arunachal Pradesh whose offices can be found in Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Shillong, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Lakhimpur.
2. Protected Area Permit: All foreigners travelling to Arunachal Pradesh require PAP or Protected Area Permit. This can either be acquired from All Indian Missions abroad or the All Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or from the Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai or the Home Ministry, Govt. of India or Home Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
Where is Ziro Music Festival Celebrated?
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Ziro is a town in the Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh. The picturesque beauty of the city surrounded by majestic mountains is spellbinding. The welcoming and warm Apatani tribe, the splendid scenery, the charming villages, rivers, rice fields, and landscapes set Ziro Valley apart. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO lately.
Important Pointers
- If you have to resell your ticket, consult the ZFM team at [email protected]
- There are several homestays, hotels and camping arrangements in Ziro. The website will add the accommodation section closer to the festival. However, it is advisable to book in advance.
- If you are an artist that wishes to perform, you can send your profile to the required authorities at the festival.
- There are several food stalls inside and outside the festival selling a wide variety of cuisines.
- You are not allowed to carry your alcohol inside the venue. Beer and local wines will be available at the festival bar.
- The closest ATM is half an hour away from the festival. People report their daily expenditure at the festival is around INR 1,000.
- If you are travelling alone, you can find people to travel to their online forums.
- Since monsoon has set in by the time of the festival, carry your umbrellas, raincoats, and gumboots.
- Book tickets in advance for the early bird offer.
Artist Line up for the Ziro Music Festival 2024
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Danyi (Sun) Stage:
Spotlighting classical music, this stage will host maestros like Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Jal Tarang virtuoso Shashikala Dani, Carnatic flautist Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar, and Joydeep Mukherjee. Additionally, acclaimed singers Mohit Chauhan and Chorun Mugli will electrify the audience. International sensations include Indonesia's Ary Juliyant, South Africa's Guy Buttery, and Estonian folk pair, Puuluup.
Pwlo (Moon) Stage:
Leading the lineup are Farhan Akhtar's band, Farhan Echoes, and Arunachal's Taba Chake. Also, anticipate power-packed performances by MC Altaf, rock icon Lee Ranaldo, and Lithuanian sensation Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys. Not to forget, Australian rock group Mannequin Death Squad, The Boo Boo Bama Orchestra from Sweden, India's Komorebi, and Delhi's underground star Chaar Diwaari, among others.
Takvr Stage:
A fresh addition, curated by electronica pioneer Sapta aka Marti Bharath, it promises an electronic extravaganza. Featuring India's talents like Kissnuka aka Anushka Manchanda, Nagaland's DJ Ina, Deep Brown, Smokey Sound, and Unnayanaa. Internationally, watch out for Angata from Israel, Sebastian Fuchs from Germany, and Leon Somov from Lithuania. Get ready to groove all night in this pulsating electronic arena.
How to Reach?
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By Air
The nearest airports are Likabali and Tezpur; however, they are a little unreliable. Hence, it will be advisable to fly to Guwahati Airport or Itanagar Airport and travel to Ziro from there. Pickup and drop can be arranged from Itanagar by bus for INR 2000.
By Rail
The closest railway station is Naharlagun which is 3 hours away from Ziro. You can board an overnight train from Guwahati to Ziro. Shatabdi is also an option, but it only runs three times a week. Pickup and drop can be arranged from the railway station by bus for INR 2000.
By Road
Taking a taxi from Guwahati to Ziro will take you about 7 hours via NH27 or NH15.
Besides the music fest, there are numerous other activities which enable one to explore the region and the tribe. The festival has been growing at a rapid rate and should be attended to get high on some trippy music! So grab your tickets and umbrella and make sure to not miss out on the most lively and trippy music festival of 2019.