Arunachal Pradesh to receive a musical first!

Local non-profit organization, Gumin Rego Kilaju, is all set to launch the first-ever artist residency in the North-East! Based in the quaint hill town of Basar in Arunachal Pradesh, the festival is open to everyone from photographers and writers to filmmakers, musicians and painters. As part of these efforts, five specially hand-picked artists will be invited to both live as well as collaborate in Basar over the course of three weeks. This co-operative effort will see the artists work on projects that are both collaborative and in-sync with the local community.

This residency will end with the Basar Confluence (BasCon) to be held over 22–23rd of February, 2017.Β Thanks to GRK’s initiative, people from the North-East will bear witness and be treated to an incredible celebration of traditional culture and contemporary arts. What’s great is that the audience will get to see the finished product of the joint effort, as all the invited artists will be showcasing their final collaborative creation over the course of the two-day event. This will feature as a major part of BasCon.

GRK is committed to strengthening β€œthe spirit of we, ours and us”, says Jummar Basar, Organising Chairman, GRK Basar Confluence. β€œWe want to take forward the initiatives of living harmoniously with nature and the process of creating opportunities.” He adds that the β€œconfluence of ideas and efforts make our society a better place to live in and we want to trace and nurture the roots of traditions and cultures.”

What can one expect at BasCon?

The first day of the festival will feature theΒ Galo harvest festival. This will includeΒ folk dancing, music and lots of feasting too! On the second day, 23rd February, visitors can enjoy a range of fascinating activities including traditional fishing, storytelling, theatre by National School of Drama alumni Riken Ngomle, amongst other activities.

Not to forget some exceptional music talent from the likes ofΒ Mumbai-based Neel Adhikari, Delhi-based rock band Menwhopause and MTV Europe Music Award for Best Indian Act 2016, Prateek Kuhad.

Prateek Kuhad

Famously known asΒ the seven sisters and one brother, North-East India comprises of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim.Β What’s so great about an event like this coming to North East India is that it’s incredible to see the people of this cultural rich and diverse land finally get the opportunity to witness some world-class talent!

In recent times, the state has made great efforts to put itself on the world map when it comes to art and culture. By bringing festivals like the Ziro Festival to the land, they’re managing to do just that! The Basar Confluence is also being curated by, the Delhi- and Itanagar-based company, Phoenix Rising – the same team behind Ziro Festival of Music and Orange Festival of Music – that has reinforced Arunachal Pradesh’s strong role in the promotion of art and culture.

With a wonderful blend of music, food, theatre, traditional activities and Β dancing; the festival promises to give the people of Arunachal Pradesh an experience they will never forget!

All image courtesy: Basar Confluence