Ziro Festival, founded in 2012, celebrates passion, sustainability, community, and cultural diversity. The festival promotes indigenous tribes and artists from Northeast India while showcasing Indian and global independent music scene. Set against the picturesque Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, the festival uses locally-sourced materials like bamboo and employs local community members to host attendees, prioritizing sustainability practices. The festival’s skills training programs have empowered community members to be actively involved in producing the festival and employing local artisans to build the bamboo infrastructure. Through community outreach programs, the festival engages artists, artisans, and local youth groups.
The Ziro Festival of Music 2025 took place from September 25–28 in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India. It featured a diverse lineup of artists, eco-friendly bamboo stages, and cultural experiences, including performances by artists like AWAZ, Swanand Kirkire, and Arivu.
The festival was no less than a picturesque scenery against the backdrop of the vast valley of Arunachal.
Apatani artisans decorated Ziro Valley with bamboo stages and eco-friendly installations. The striking art installation, crafted entirely from upcycled materials, and the engaging Signature Masterclasses on ‘Flow State of Mind’ and ‘Cocktail Making’, reflected the brand’s ongoing commitment to mindful, sustainable living.
The opening day saw the celebration and remembering of the Assamese legendary artist Zubeen Garg and his untimely demise.
Day two saw Pink Eye from Nagaland at the Danyi Stage, followed by Susmita Das from Odisha, whose devotional folk renditions captivated the audience against the open landscape.
Day four saw Shilpa Rao, and Swanand Kirkire among other artists. Kirkire said, “I dedicate this next song to Zubeen Garg because I want him to come back. His music lives on and so does his spirit here in the valley.”
The sustainable festival of music brought on the air of emotions, community,and most importantly a serene sense of belonging among the people attending.