Echoes of Earth, positioned as one of India’s “greenest festivals”, brings its message of musical creativity and environmental sustainability to Bangalore and Goa in 2023-2024. The Bangalore edition was held on December 2 and 3, while the Goa edition will be on February 2-4 (see our coverage of the earlier edition here).
The lineup for the Goa edition includes Oden & Fatzo (France), Balkan Bump (USA), Tentendo (Australia), Alexander Robotnick (Italy), Batavia Collective (Indonesia), Shubostar (Korea), Noisy Pots (Czech Republic), and Demsky (Japan). Meanwhile, the lineup from India features Dualist Inquiry, Hamza Rahimtula + Rajasthan Folkstars, Boombay Djembe Folas, and Achhra.
With artists from around the world, Echoes of Earth showcases diverse genres, including world music, folk, electronica, jazz, indie, Afrobeat, funk, soul, and electronica. Overall, the Goa edition will feature 40 international and local artists on three specially-designed stages, along with 20+ art installations, educational workshops, and a flea market featuring sustainable brands.
“With our sustainable initiatives and conversations at the festival, we hope our audience is inspired to shift mindsets and adopt sustainable choices,” Roshan Netalkar, Founder and Festival Director of Echoes of Earth, explains in a chat with World Music Central.
With a series of unique events, Echoes of Earth has become a celebration of music, art, culture, and conservation efforts. The festival’s ongoing theme, Ensemble of the Wild, highlights the interconnectedness of India’s rich biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats mountain range along India’s coast on the Arabian Sea.
The line-up for the Bangalore edition included three-time Grammy Award winner Tinariwen (Mali), Sid Sriram (US), Len Faki (Germany), Jitvam (US/India), Mezerg (France), Parra for Cuva (Germany), Yung Raja (Singapore), Mansur Brown (UK), 8 Kays (Ukraine), Giant Swan (UK), and Thaikuddam Bridge (India).
Tinariwen blends traditional Tuareg music with modern rock, while Sid Sriram brings a unique fusion of Western and Indian musical elements to the stage. Len Faki is a techno maestro, while Mezerg are known for their avant-garde electronic compositions.
Matsumoto Zoku Band features Japanese folk as well as contemporary sounds. Parra for Cuva creates ambient and melodic electronic soundscapes, while Mansur Brown mixes jazz, funk, and electronica.
At the Bangalore festival, the Kids Zone featured workshops by WWF-India and Felis Creations on musical instrument workshops and insect trails. The BugsBnB Workshop was curated by nature educator Maria Antony.
Over the years, the Bangalore editions of the festival have drawn over 16,000 visitors each weekend, according to Netalkar. “The festivals are a celebration of the interconnectedness of all living beings, emphasizing the urgency of collective action in preserving our rich biodiversity,” he affirms.
Featured art installations include Chameleon Zelanicus (by Alt Native Artist Collective), Southern Birdwing Butterfly (by Bheemstyx), Paradise Flycatcher (by Naama), Black Panther (by Archita), Fireflies (by Anmol Engandula), and Indian Pangolin (by Yadhu).
“Music and art hold immense potential to spread a larger message through communities. We believe that, together with our partners, we can make a meaningful difference and inspire positive action for the community and the environment in Goa and beyond,” Netalkar adds.
Circular design, regeneration, and sustainable practices are key design elements of the festival. As a “no-plastic and no-flex” festival, signage is hand-painted on repurposed cardboard and wood. Art installations are made from recycled jute, plastic, and scrap metal.
“Embracing responsible tourism is not just a trend but a necessity. When tourists become stakeholders, they inherently share the responsibility of safeguarding the local well-being,” Goa’s tourism minister Rohan Khaunte sums up.
More at echoesofearth.com
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.