The music of Ziro

When Sriram TT’s band Skrat was selected to perform at the Ziro music festival in Arunachal Pradesh, they jumped at the opportunity! What did the boys get upto

The Ziro Festival of Music in the scenic landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh is an experience that most musicians and music enthusiasts crave for. Despite the difficulty in reaching the destination, thousands of people manage to travel and set up camp amidst the hills to enjoy three days of music, food, drinks and camaraderie. Featuring musicians from all over India including the homegrown talent in the northeast, the fest makes for a unique and life-altering experience. This year’s line-up included artists like Donn Bhat, Sofiyum, Shye Ben Tzur & The Rajasthan Express, and our band, Skrat!

Ziro is a pilgrimage every independent artist should undertake, irrespective of what genre they play and listen to. The festival itself was a surreal experience — there were two stages which had such varied and fresh sounds that surfed across styles, rendering all talks of genres futile. The best part of performing there was the crowd — they were consistently happy and supported every single performer with the passion they deserve.

The town itself is stunning. The festival is strategically placed in a bowl that is surrounded by paddy fields and looming mountains, and the scenic location was nothing short of spectacular.

At the festival, I had the pleasure of trying almost all kinds of food (no frogs) that was available there. The dishes were absolutely unbelievable. One would always find me eating something or the other!

When it comes to the locals, I maintain that the northeast has some of the nicest people in India, if not the world. Ziro, being remote, proved it even further. The vibes there were brimming with love.

As is the case with most journeys, there were a few occasions that stood out to me. One of the most memorable moments of this trip was the campfire at the artist tent. Joking and laughing with some of the best talents in the country over rice wine and a couple of guitars were the best part and something I won’t be forgetting soon.

My advice to people who are planning to undertake the journey to experience the quaint town — be prepared for a tough journey — at the end, it’ll be worth it! Also, keeps boots and raincoats handy. The months of September-October is a great time to visit because of the music festivals and the weather.

(As told to Kaavya Pillai)