It was around 2018 that I stumbled upon Fiddler’s Green’s performance of Resham Firiri on YouTube, and I was hooked right away. The way they blended Nepali folk music with reggae was simply mesmerising! This gem was part of the Orange Festival of Music and Adventure, which is how I first heard about this unique fusion of music and adventure.
Oddly enough, being from the Northeast myself, I hadn’t known about this festival- probably because the buzz around NH7 Weekender and a few local band contests overshadowed it. Around that time, Ziro Festival was just beginning to gain the recognition it now enjoys as one of India’s most celebrated music festivals, not only in the Northeast but across the country. In the past few years, though, music festivals have been popping up everywhere, especially during winters, which I reckon is the perfect time for a vacation and having some fun. This has turned these festivals into a highly sought-after experience, drawing people from all over the world. Many now visit the Northeast not only to enjoy the natural beauty but also to immerse themselves in its rich cultural experiences, which includes music festivals too.
Take for instance, The Ziro Festival, that attracted an increased tourist footfall of 25-30% compared to the previous year which quite lucidly implies how music festivals can boost tourism. Similarly, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, which will focus on Japan’s Hanami culture, is anticipating around 30,000 visitors each day this year, attracting people not only from across the Northeast but also from mainland India. Harshajit, a musician who attended last year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, shares, “Went to the last Cherry Blossom Festival, and it’s honestly so cool how it brings people together. There were locals and people from outside Meghalaya, like me, all just enjoying the good energy.” His experience speaks to how the festival goes beyond showcasing the stunning pink blooms and creates a shared space for people with a love for music to come together from near and far.
Music festivals in the Northeast have not only put this once-overlooked region on the national map and added it to many travel bucket lists, but they have also provided a valuable platform for indie musicians from the area. Of course, like many things in life, music festivals come with a yin-yang balance. While these events bring together diverse cultures and encourage rich interactions, a closer look raises questions about their sustainability, given the large number of attendees from both near and far.
Fortunately, many festivals are proactively addressing these concerns by prioritising sustainability. For instance, the Majuli Music Festival incorporates eco-friendly practices in each edition, striving to be a Zero Waste Festival while giving indie artists a stunning stage on the river island that attracts visitors each year. “Attending the Majuli Music Festival has been fun. You’re just chilling, listening to incredible music, and suddenly you’re talking to someone from halfway across the world. It’s awesome seeing people from everywhere come to vibe,” says Chandrapol, who attended last year’s event. His words highlight how the festival is about more than great music- it’s also a chance to meet people from all over who share common interests.
It can be deduced that music festivals in Northeast are a welcome move not only from the perspective of promoting music from the Land of Seven Sisters and One Brother but also as a means to boost tourism, allowing people from all over to come together under one roof and experience what it feels like to Get Together and Feel Alright.
