ITANAGAR, 22 Aug: Governor KT Parnaik advised the organisers of the Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) to preserve its authenticity, protect the environment, and empower local youths.
The governor gave the advice when ZFM co-founders Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty called on him at the Lok Bhavan here on Saturday.
During the meeting, they briefed the governor on the ZFM, one of India's most celebrated independent music and cultural festivals, 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.
The governor commended the team for conducting the festival regularly, and said that the ZFM is more than a celebration of music. Parnaik said that the festival and its outreach programmes should remain firmly rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the tribal community and the indigenous heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.
"While contemporary music and international participation enhance its appeal, equal importance should be given to traditional music, folk arts, local cuisine, handicrafts, and indigenous knowledge systems," the governor said.
He observed that cultural tourism flourishes when visitors experience the genuine spirit and traditions of a place.
When the ZFM team apprised the governor of their desire to take the ZFM Hyderabad, Pondicherry and Chandigarh, Parnaik advised them to take up the proposal with the state government, so that coordination with states concerned and mobilisation of funds through sponsorship could be undertaken. He assured of all possible assistance at his level for the venture.
The governor 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 youths in event management, hospitality, content creation, cultural performances, and tourism 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.
Both Hano and Kutty assured the governor of their commitment to promoting Arunachal's culture, tourism, and creative economy through the ZFM and the 'Ziro on Tour' initiatives. (Lok Bhavan)
