Ziro Festival: Where Music Meets Nature in the Heart of Arunachal Pradesh
The Ziro is an outdoor music festival held every year in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley. Ziro is a beautiful valley in the Arunachal Pradesh state of India, situated in the Lower Subansiri district. This is a 4-day festival that includes a grand music celebration and immense enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated between mid-September and the first week of October. People get the chance to experience fresh music from various talented artists. Some youngsters also showcase their talent in this festival through independent music genres like jazz, indie, and many others.
The idea behind the Ziro Festival was initially conceived by Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty. Bobby Hano was promoting a Delhi band in Itanagar. However, due to some political instability, the concert was delayed. Then he and Anup Kutty spent three days in the Ziro Valley and decided to organize a small festival there. Music was the perfect medium to turn that idea into reality. So, they discussed inviting their favorite band as well. Finally, they organized the first Ziro Festival on September 14, 2012.
The Ziro Festival is among the famous festivals of Northeast India. During this Ziro festival, many national and international artists perform and entertain their audience. The audience also gets the chance to experience a variety of rock music genres, including indie pop-rock, alternative rock, jazz, and many other instrumental performances.
In addition to music, one can enjoy the natural beauty and local cuisine of Ziro Valley. Visitors can participate in village walks to explore the Apatani tribe, who are a major part of this festival. Tourists can gain a new perspective on music from this tribe. Local food arrangements are also made during this festival. People would surely love to savor local dishes like fried fish, pork, roasted silkworms, and various other non-vegetarian foods. Local beverages are also available at this festival.
Reaching this valley is convenient for visitors. By air, one can land at Guwahati Airport and easily find local modes of transport to reach the valley. Traveling by road is also an option, either by hiring a taxi from Guwahati or taking a bus from Itanagar. The most recommended mode of transportation is by train. The Naharlagun Railway Station is the nearest to this valley and will take only around three hours to reach. Upon arriving one can peacefully watch the Ziro festival.
