With many national music festivals giving Bengaluru a miss in recent years, we have built a niche of our own, a festival scene that reflects our distinct identity. The Echoes of Earth music festival is a prime example and sets itself apart from the slew of other festivals in the country, not just because it blends art and music, but also because of its focus on sustainability. Founder Roshan Netalkar sums up the aim of the festival saying, “We always wanted to create a large scale festival that brings together Indian and international artistes and to show that it can be done in a sustainable way.”
This year’s theme is marine and aquatic life conservation. Of the four stages, two are named after endangered fish — the Lionfish stage and the Anglerfish stage. “The third and fourth stages are always a tribute to where we come from — Karnataka,” Roshan adds. This year, they are called the Mandala stage and the Big Tree stage respectively.
Oh fish!
Since its conception, the festival has been a platform for eco-conscious art installations and artists who work on these themes. This year, artists Dibyush Jena, (known as YantraPurush) and Sibani Biswal (known as MoodyMati) are working on two installations made of reused metal and organic scraps. “Our piece titled Luban The Whale throws light on the disturbance created by humans in the Arabian Sea, which is the natural habitat of the whale. Whales are intelligent, beautiful and charismatic animals and have become symbols of the world’s oceans,” says the Bhubaneswar-based artist, Dibyush. The other installation by them is called Gates Of Linphea. “The installation gives a message to humans to take care of this beautiful planet,” Sibani says, adding, “We also incorporate Pattachitra (a traditional art form from Odisha) with a modern touch into our pieces.”
Some other installations at the festival are by artist Mohit Mahato, working on a piece that is a replica of a manta ray and Yadu Nandan, who is working an a turtle-shaped installation.
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Up the stream
The music at the festival is a mix of rock, jazz, electronica, pop and folk. Headliners include artists FKJ, Grouch in Dub, Tennyson and more. Electronica act Ape Echoes, who hail from Mumbai, will play on day one of the festival. “We will play a mix of tunes from our EP, Ape Machines, and newer material, which we will release next year,” says Nirmit Shah from the band.
Singer, Aditi Ramesh, will be performing on the second day. Bengaluru born but Mumbai-based, Aditi aims to find spaces between different genres that organically overlap. Apart from her solo work, she is also a member of the bands, Ladies Compartment and Voctronica. “My music is primarily influenced by jazz, soul, Carnatic and funk, but I continually like to explore different genres as well,” she says. At the festival, she will be playing songs with her quartet from her EP, Autocorrect.
“Our theme partner for Echoes of Earth 2018 is the NGO, Reef Watch India,” Roshan tells us. They will be conducting workshops and interactions with marine biologists as well, all in hopes of creating more awareness and appreciation for ocean conservation. “This festival is our tribute to the sea,” he signs off.
Rs. 1,770 upwards. Saturday and Sunday, 3 pm. At Embassy Riding School, Yelahanka
anagha@newindianexpress.com @anaghzzz