Rida and the Musical Folks perform at the Ziro Festival of Music on Friday. Telegraph picture

Ziro, Sept. 26: As the sun slowly disappeared in the horizon, the slow strumming of Prateek Kauhad’s acoustic guitar began to reverberate across the valley. The Ziro Festival of Music had begun.

Marking its third year, the fest has become an event that attracts visitors from across the country and the globe. Perhaps it is the eclectic mix of musicians and the lush green Ziro valley that manages to enchant visitors.

The first day witnessed powerful performances by the likes of Maya Moh+Muteverb and the post-punk band The Vinyl Records. While both performances got audiences fired up, it was when Itanagar-based Omak Komut Collective took to stage that things livened up.

Three songs into their performance and the ground began to vibrate as young men and women jumped up and down to the beats of Adi folk songs infused with jazz and blues. The only irony was that it wasn’t Omak Komut who was on stage but a stand in singer Marbom Maro. That however, did not stop the audience from demanding an encore.

The first day’s performances came to a close with the band that started it all, Menwhopause.

Though most members of the audience did not appear to know the lyrics to the songs, it did not dampen their mood at all.

While the first day provided a glimpse of what was to come, today’s performances took things to a different level.

With two stages, Danyii and Piilo, the music began early.

Avi and the Uprising’s solo set the wheels rolling with Sheila’s Car. Avi makes no bones about displaying the song’s political overtones when he sings, “the rich get richer and the poor get torn”. From singing about the hidden beauty of cities like Delhi and Mumbai to a song entitled Climate Change, Avi’s songs bring issues to the fore.

Arunachal’s very own Taba Chake’s fingers on the acoustic guitar coupled with his husky voice brought love back!

Rida and the Musical Folks stole the show with their mix of guitar, dhol and the four-string titaru.

Whether singing in Khasi or English, vocalist Rida Marbaniang enchanted as she entered a trance, lost in the melody of her own voice.

The day also saw some amazing performances by Mizoram’s Freddy’s Nightmare and Delhi-based Superfuzz.

Another highlight of the day was the official launch of Yesterdrive’s self-titled debut album.