Ziro Festival must remain rooted in Arunachal’s tribal heritage: Guv
Itanagar, Aug 22 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Saturday emphasised that the Ziro Festival and its outreach programmes should remain firmly rooted in the rich cultural traditions and indigenous heritage of the state’s tribal communities.
The Team Ziro Festival, including co‑founders Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty, called on the Governor at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar. During the discussion, the Governor said that while contemporary music and international participation enhance the festival’s appeal, traditional music, folk arts, local cuisine, handicrafts, and indigenous knowledge systems must be given equal importance. He observed that cultural tourism flourishes when visitors experience the authentic spirit, traditions and way of life of a place.
The Governor appreciated Team Ziro Festival for successfully organising the festival regularly and said it was more than a celebration of music. Advising the organisers to preserve authenticity, protect the environment and empower local youth, he said the Ziro Festival must continue to inspire visitors while bringing pride and prosperity to the state.
Team Ziro Festival briefed the Governor about the festival, one of India’s most celebrated independent music and cultural events, and its outreach initiative, Ziro On Tour – Valley Vibe, City Tribe, which aims to take the music, culture, artists and creative communities of Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast to audiences across India and abroad. They expressed their desire to take the festival to other parts of the country, including Hyderabad, Puducherry and Chandigarh.
The Governor was informed that taking the festival to these cities would require sponsorship as well as acceptance and coordination at the respective destinations. Lt Gen Parnaik (Retd) advised the organisers to take up the proposal with the state government so they could coordinate with the concerned state governments and mobilise funds through sponsorship. He assured them of all possible assistance at his level for the venture.
He also encouraged the organisers to use the festival as a catalyst for youth empowerment and rural economic growth. He suggested creating greater opportunities for local youth in event management, hospitality, content creation, cultural performances and tourism‑related services. Dedicated platforms for farmers, artisans, weavers and local entrepreneurs, he said, would strengthen livelihoods and support the vision of Vocal for Local, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047.
The Governor said such initiatives could help create sustainable livelihood opportunities while providing wider markets and platforms for local products, traditional skills and creative talent. He further stressed the importance of ensuring that the festival’s growth remains environmentally responsible and benefits local communities.
Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty thanked the Governor for his guidance. They assured him of their commitment to promoting Arunachal Pradesh’s culture, tourism and creative economy through the Ziro Festival and Ziro On Tour initiatives.
–IANS
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