It’s that time of the year when musicians from the city, country and world come together under one roof to promote the cause of preserving the earth through what they know best – Music. Echoes of Earth, Bengaluru’s very own music festival which felicitates various cultures, music and art is underway. Here’s what the festival has to offer.
Proving the point that a large-scale event can be organised in a sustainable way, from having solar powered stages, to setting up beautiful installations made from upcycled and recycled materials and featuring cream of the crop artistes from around the globe, this festival sure does have it all. The theme for this year’s festival is “The Sanctuary” where they will pay tribute to the endangered flora and fauna in India and the world.
Speaking about what gave them the idea of fusing music with a message of preserving the earth Roshan Netalkar the Director of Echoes of Earth Festival opines, “The idea was to do a music festival that would showcase great music from around the world to the Indian audience. Living in Bengaluru we are exposed to the rapid erosion of natural resources right in front of our eyes. It is the need of the hour to wake up and start creating a responsible ecosystem. This thought became the driving force behind the festival.”
This year there are over 30 musicians participating. Artistes like Acid Pauli, Squarepusher, Shigeto, and Fakear, will be performing for the first time in India. The festival presents a stellar line-up with musicians from various genres like world fusion, underground techno, house, Indian folk, and more, spread across four uniquely designed stages.
City based DJ and Internet sensation Alina Sengupta, who since a young age, has had a gifted ear for underground sounds, drawing influences from house music will be performing at the festival, she feels that Bengaluru gives her comfort and confidence. Speaking about the city’s love for music she says, “The music scene in Bengaluru is great, it’s doing fairly well but still has a long way to go compared to other cities. However, we’re on the right track.”
Famous percussionist Montry Manuel who is the founder of Thaalavattam, a Bengaluru-based percussion project that produces music from junk items, will also be performing and here’s what he had to say about Bengaluru. Montry says, “I chose to come to Bengaluru because people here are open to getting to know newer genres of music and accept every kind. The music, art and culture of the city is captivating. It is a beautiful city to meet newer musicians and randomly jam with them.”
But speaking about the ban of live music Montry says, “Only six months ago, the city was booming with its various platforms for several upcoming musicians. But with the ban of live music in the city it is a tough line to grow. Where there’s love for music it will survive and the only solution for preserving music is to find out a rational option that will not disturb residents and yet help in love through music.”
With the sole notion of cleaning the environment to promote music Montry with his various inventions has managed to spread the awareness of preserving the Earth.
