Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Saturday, 22 August stressed that the Ziro Festival and its outreach programmes must remain firmly anchored in the indigenous heritage and cultural traditions of the state's tribal communities. The Governor made the remarks during a meeting with the festival's leadership at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar.

What the Governor Said

Receiving Team Ziro Festival, including co-founders Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty, Lt Gen Parnaik acknowledged that contemporary music and international participation add to the festival's global appeal. However, he underscored that traditional music, folk arts, local cuisine, handicrafts, and indigenous knowledge systems must receive equal prominence alongside modern elements.

He observed that cultural tourism thrives when visitors experience the authentic spirit and way of life of a destination — not a curated approximation of it. 'The Ziro Festival must continue to inspire visitors while bringing pride and prosperity to the state,' he said, advising organisers to preserve authenticity, protect the environment, and empower local youth.

The Ziro On Tour Initiative

Team Ziro Festival briefed the Governor on Ziro On Tour — Valley Vibe, City Tribe, an outreach initiative designed to carry the music, culture, artists, and creative communities of Arunachal Pradesh and the broader Northeast to audiences across India and overseas. The organisers expressed intent to expand the festival's footprint to cities including Hyderabad, Puducherry, and Chandigarh.

The Governor was informed that taking the festival to these cities would require dedicated sponsorship and coordination with respective state administrations. Lt Gen Parnaik advised the team to route the proposal through the Arunachal Pradesh state government, which could then liaise with counterpart state governments and help mobilise funds. He assured the organisers of all possible support at his level.

Youth Empowerment and Rural Economy

Lt Gen Parnaik encouraged the organisers to position the Ziro Festival as a catalyst for youth empowerment and rural economic growth. He suggested creating structured opportunities for local youth in event management, hospitality, content creation, cultural performance, and tourism-related services.

He also recommended dedicated platforms for farmers, artisans, weavers, and local entrepreneurs — moves he said would align the festival's growth with the national visions of Vocal for Local, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and Viksit Bharat@2047. Such platforms, he argued, would strengthen rural livelihoods while opening wider markets for traditional skills and creative talent.

Festival's Commitment Going Forward

Co-founders Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty thanked the Governor for his guidance and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting Arunachal Pradesh's culture, tourism, and creative economy through both the Ziro Festival and the Ziro On Tour initiative. The Ziro Festival is widely regarded as one of India's most celebrated independent music and cultural events, drawing national and international audiences each year to the Ziro Valley in Lower Subansiri district.

With expansion plans now tabled and gubernatorial backing secured, the festival's next chapter will test whether its tribal cultural core can travel — and endure — beyond the valley that gave it its identity.