Members of Dark Reign perform at the 7 Sisters Rock Fest in 2010

Calcutta, Nov. 28: Years of struggle without a proper platform and a dream of making a mark on the national scene inspired the concept of the 7 Sisters Rock Fest, a two-day music festival in Delhi.

With varied genres of music, bands comprising members from the region shall make their presence felt during the 7 Sisters Rock Fest and Tour, which will hit Delhi on December 3-4, Ukhrul on December 13, Imphal on December 15 and Dimapur on December 17.

The bands that will create “musical mayhem” at the Sur-taal Open Air Theatre, Talkatora Stadium, include Incidental Groove, Prestorika, Vishnu, Blend, Dark Reign, Alien Gods, Teremt, White Fire (Alvina Gonson’s band), Frisky Pints, Vinyl Records, Minute of Decay, Towering Faith, Nosebleed, Shocase and Trini D.

Sunny Shimrah, founder of the 7 Sisters Entertainment, made it his mission to create a platform where the people of the Northeast can celebrate as one through music, though they were far away from their own homes.

“I was in a band in Mumbai back in the early 2000s, struggling with a big dream. After we split up, I realised that we, the seven sisters, have so many undiscovered talented artistes and lots of fans. So why not do something for them and create a common meeting ground?” Sunny said.

Ultimately, the 7 Sisters Rock Fest was introduced in November 2009 in New Delhi.

Bands from every genre, including blues, classic rock, glam rock, punk, rock, modern rock, experimental, progressive rock, metal and metal core, are encouraged to participate.

It also knits together students from the region in their endeavour to create music.

Dark Reign, a progressive metal band from Imphal, now based in Delhi, has been part of the 7 Sisters Rock Fest since last year.

Saman, keyboardist for Dark Reign, said, “We have talent but we need a platform to show what we have got. The rock festival provides a platform and an opportunity to perform in various states. Performing there was a turning point and now, we have got many fans in various parts of the country and get to perform in prestigious concerts.”

Incidental Groove, for example, comprises members from Assam, Manipur, Sikkim and Meghalaya, who got together in Delhi.

Droopad Bujarbaruah, guitarist, is enthusiastic about their first appearance at the festival.

“We shall perform at the Rock Fest for the first time and it shall be a great experience. We will also launch our own album, with seven songs, in Guwahati soon,” he adds.

Moreover, the music festival has made it largely on its own, being held for three years without any sponsors.

Amrita Madhukalya, ardent rock enthusiast in Delhi, says, “I find the venture very inspiring. It is amazing that aspiring musicians of the Northeast churn out such fresh tunes and live their dream with such limited resources.”

“The music scenario at present seems rather jaded and dark. These festivals are like a breath of fresh air,” she adds.

The event incorporates at least one international band every year to build bridges, share ideas, and to pave a way towards the global music scene.

“This time, we will be touring with Higher on Maiden from the UK. They are the original and official tribute band of Iron Maiden. There will be two local bands at every venue opening the show,” said Sunny.

Nitesh Vasandani, drummer for Prestorika, a New Delhi band with members from the Northeast, said, “With our guitarists Ravi Arora from Darjeeling and Tridib Chaudhary from Guwahati, we are ready to rattle some souls.”

“Rock festivals are an important way of connecting and growing in the music scene. The 7 Sisters has made it a point to keep people together with the most powerful and craziest glues in the world — music,” he said.

“Rock festivals like these certainly give a boost to the music fraternity of our country, be it New Delhi or Darjeeling or Sikkim. The Northeast already rocks to the core and musicians of the region know what they like and what they want to do with their music,” he adds.

It also gives northeastern students in Delhi an opportunity to catch up on the latest beats and with friends.

Susane Wormipem Muivah, a University of Delhi student, says, “For most of our Northeast comrades, music is one of their favourite hobbies. This show boosts oneness among the northeastern people in Delhi and we come together as seven sisters to enjoy the music performed by our talented brothers and sisters from the region.”

Attending the festival has become a regular affair with friends.

“For the past two years I have been watching people dancing and singing along with the bands on the same platform. This show gives an opportunity to make the country aware that the Northeast really rocks,” she adds.