When music goes green

The Asian Age.  | Bindu Gopal Rao

India, All India

Yet, this as much a festival about music as it is about art and how it can change the way we abuse the planet.

A festival that includes music, art, and culture, Echoes of Earth celebrates the environment

The world as we know it might be a distant memory soon. Unless we join together in a tryst to save the world. Echoes of the Earth hopes to be that platform that brings voices, strains, music and message together to do just that. In its third edition, the voices that will ring in the call of change are a motley crew of international Jazz, Electronic music, Indian rock, pop, underground techno, house, rock and Indian folk music artists.

Festive Vibes
Celebrating the environment. The ethos of the festival is to give artists and eco-conscious people a platform to showcase different ecological ideas and concepts that create awareness of a more sustainable way of life. The festival has a theme each year which reflects a green cause and this year, the cry from marine and aquatic life has brought musicians from the world over together. Titled ‘Wonders of the Deep,’ the line-up comprises of the biggest names in EDM, Jazz, Indian rock, Pop, Rock and Indian folk. Some of the artists that will be performing include Dualist Inquiry, Ankur & the Ghalat family, FKJ, (((O))), Grouch in Dub, Dusky, Anomalie, Tennyson, IGLOOGHOST, Stavroz, Nolah, Sequ3l, Aditi Ramesh and Ape Echoes among others.

Yet, this as much a festival about music as it is about art and how it can change the way we abuse the planet. This theme is being showcased through art installations and four stages made from upcycled and recycled materials. Roshan Natelkar, founder of 

Echoes of Earth says, “The multi genres of musical experience in a beautiful location with great installations is the highlight of the festival. The artists take months to create these from recycled and up-cycled materials after months of research on the theme that particular year.”

Green Installations
Apart from music, the focus is also to create fixtures that reflect the core philosophy. A metal art installation which mimics an artificial reef structure in collaboration with ‘Reef Watch’ was actually taken to the Andamans and submerged into the ocean. The corals were tied to this structure to help them regenerate – all aimed at conserving the coral reefs in the Andamans and help them come back to life. This apart there are 15 installations inspired by aquatic life and each one has the common message to celebrate life under water. Mohit Mahato’s gigantic installation of Mantaray, Dibiyushman Jena and Sibani Biswal’s Whale installation and Yadu Nandan’s Turtle are all part of the festival. The festival will be an ode to the sea life and focus on ways to protect the marine environment to sustain life on earth. The festival has a dual focus to get attention on how to protect the environment and celebrate life underwater as well as practically show how to conduct a large format event in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.  

Artist Dualist says, “At Echoes of Earth, I will be performing with my band and we will be playing live versions of my music, both new songs from my upcoming releases, as well as new renditions of older, more familiar tunes.” According to the organisers, roughly 80 percent of the festival is ecologically crafted and eventually, they hope to morph into a zero waste festival. While all the crockery and cutlery is biodegradable, a fully solar-powered stage made in association with ECOSOCH and the 500-acre space around the stage is made from recycled and upcycled products.

Artist Murthovic avers, “I am really excited to be a part of India’s first ecologically crafted music festival, which is committed to sustenance and preservation of the earth, an ideology which is very close to me. As an audience for their first edition, I was completely blown away by the programming of music art and culture-centric activities and this year promises to be even bigger so I cannot wait to return.”

The festival is being held in partnership with NGOs like Hasirudala, Swachha Eco Solutions and Reforest India. The two-day festival is interactive too, and there are workshops on music, wellness and how you can pick up loads of tips to lead a green lifestyle. So whether it is sustainable products, reducing carbon footprint, managing waste management or more this is where you will see it all. 

What: Echoes of Earth Music Festival
When: December 1 and 2, 2018
Where: Embassy International Riding School, 149/223, Next To Stone Hill International School, Tarunhunse Village, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Day Pass: Rs 2,360
Season Pass: (2 days passes) Rs 3,540

Read more...