The famous Ziro Festival of Music is back after two years, and we are here to tell you how to make the most of it!
After two long years of waiting, it is time to return to Arunchal Pradesh’s Ziro valley. For India’s coolest outdoor music carnival, the Ziro Festival of Music is coming back from September 29 to October 2 this year with a bigger line-up and greater musical gigs including rock, jazz, to classical and folk!
Nestled deep in the rolling hills of Lower Subansiri district and home to the Apatani tribe, the scenic valley is all set to, once again, turn into a paradise of music lovers. Think verdant landscape fringed with bamboo and pine forests, lush paddy fields, and cool climes. Amidst all this natural beauty, the Ziro Festival of Music is celebrated as an annual outdoor musical carnival held over four days every September. Carefully curated to bring together the best independent music acts from across India and beyond, the festival hosted by the local Apatani community is attended by people from all walks of life.
With an infrastructure built almost completely of locally sourced bamboo and a heavy emphasis on eco-friendly practices, it is one-of-its-kind. The Ziro Festival of Music 2022 will be a plastic-free event as always. There will be a strict no single-use plastic policy in place. This way, the festival encourages attendees to follow eco-friendly and waste management practices.
The Line-Up
Now in its ninth edition, the festival will feature an incredible line-up this year, celebrating some of the biggest as well as newest names in the independent music scene. From the soulful veteran Rabbi Shergill playing an exclusive unplugged at the Signature Danyii (Sun) stage along with the inimitable Jumme Khan from Mewar, Rajasthan to India’s oldest rapper Baba Sehgal performing his first ever show in the northeast on the Simba Uproar Piilo (Moon) Stage next to the popular Nepali singer Bipul Chettri.
Among the international acts playing this year are Lithuanian pop sensation Leon Somov & Dileta, high energy female-fronted Japanese act Pinky Doodle Poodle and French composer Emilie Hanak’s new project Yelli Yelli. Emerging Welsh artist Eadyth will also bring her ongoing collaboration with Manipur’s musical icon Mangka as part of the British Council’s India-UK Season of Culture celebrations.
How to reach
Guwahati has flights from most major Indian cities. From Guwahati, you can take the overnight Intercity Express to Naharlagun station, and then, take a bus or private taxi for a four-hour drive to Ziro. Alternatively, you can take a flight to the Jorhat airport, and then take a shared cab to the venue that will take seven hours. Or, you could also go for an overnight bus journey of 11 hours directly from Guwahati to Ziro. The bus, operated by the Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs four days a week.
Where to stay
At the Ziro Festival of Music, there are three campsites available, arranged by Kite Manja, Stay High Adventures, and Camp Zingaros. Kite Manja offers dome and alpine tents with comfortable amenities, jam sessions, and bonfires. Stay High Adventures offers camping packages that include travel from Guwahati to Ziro and back, while Camp Zingaros offers concrete toilets and showers in the woods, with elevated tents. You can even pitch your own tents at these sites.
Alternatively, the nearby Hapoli town has a couple of decent homestays, budget hotels, and lodges such as the Blue Pine Hotel and the Siiro Resort. There’s also the Ziro Valley Resort located on the festival grounds but is usually occupied by the performing bands so it is advised to look for other available options beforehand.
What will be the weather like
The days are usually comfortably warm, the evenings balmy. But you can expect nights to be a little chilly and it is best to be prepared for any chances of rain.
What to carry
You must carry a light winter jacket, raincoat, umbrella, gum boots, insect repellent, portable charger, torch or headlamp, toilet paper, foldable chair, and a dry bag for your valuables. If you are camping on the festival grounds, carry your own tent, sleeping bags, and other gear. If you book a tent on the campground, the organisers send you a list of things they will provide and the ones that you’d need to bring.
What else to experience
Other than the musical gigs, the festival will also host an array of cultural events, heritage walks, workshops, art installations, and gastronomical experiences offering you a taste of local food and culture. Be open to adventures because you could come across everything from good ol’ cheeseburgers to fried frogs! And, of course, there will be bamboo filled with rice beer to wash it all down. For children below 12, the entry is free and there is a dedicated kids’ zone hosting a number of activities like storytelling, dance, poetry, and art sessions to keep them busy.
What to remember
Arunachal Pradesh is a protected state, and everyone — including Indians — need a permit to enter the state. Guests need to apply for and carry Inner Line Permit (ILP) along. Also, carry a government-recognised ID proof. Do remember that the festival has a strict ‘no single-use plastic’ policy, so carry your own reusable water bottle that you can refill it at water stations on the grounds. Littering too is strictly prohibited. Guests can carry a camera for personal use but professional recording devices or drones are strictly not allowed. Limited parking facility is available outside the festival site. It is advisable to avoid driving a private vehicle to avoid traffic congestions and roadblocks.
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