The second edition of the music and cultural festival Shergaon Folk Quest will be held in Shergaon, West Kameng district, on October 17 and 18 under the theme “The Hills Sing. The Heart Listens.”
More than a music festival, the two-day gathering will bring together indigenous artists, storytellers, writers, farmers, birders, outdoor enthusiasts and local communities to celebrate culture, nature and collective memory.
Organised by Taksar Lu Farms in association with Redberry Riverbee Retreat and OK North East, with the music programme curated by Music Malt, the festival aims to showcase the living cultural heritage of the Sherdukpen community while creating a platform where diverse traditions from across Northeast India can come together.
“At its heart, Shergaon Folk Quest is about people and the stories they carry. When an elder passes away, we do not just lose a person. We often lose songs, stories, memories and knowledge that may never be documented anywhere. This festival is our small attempt to ensure that these voices continue to find listeners. If even a few young people leave feeling more connected to their roots, we will consider it a success,” said Jim Ankan Deka, co-founder of Shergaon Folk Quest.
One of the key highlights of this year’s festival will be a literature conversation exploring the historical, cultural and folkloric connections between the Sherdukpen community and the Ahoms of Assam.
Moderated by Shergaon-based writer Sange Norbu Thungon, the discussion will draw on oral traditions, community memories and shared histories that have connected people across the region for generations.
Storytelling will also form an important part of the festival. The sessions will be led by Sonam Genchen Trangpodar of Morshing, founder of the Kunphen Residential School.
A respected educator and community leader, Trangpodar left a successful career in the Indian Army to establish a school in a remote area so that children from interior villages could access quality education. Through stories inspired by mountains, forests, ancestors, spirits, journeys and community life, he hopes to revive the tradition of storytelling that once connected grandparents and grandchildren through shared wisdom and imagination.
Music will remain at the heart of Shergaon Folk Quest, with traditional and contemporary performances by artists representing different communities and regions. The festival will feature Rinchin Norbu Thongchi of Jigaon, Nima Dorjee of Dirang, Pema Tashi Trangpodar of Morshing, the Monpa Institute of Performing Arts (MIPA), acclaimed Assamese singer Arupjyoti Baruah, folk-fusion ensemble FolkAGeet and several other artists and cultural groups.
Beyond the stage, the festival will highlight Shergaon’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, the region is known for its forests, birdlife, medicinal plants, wild mushrooms, mountain fruits and indigenous agricultural practices. Much of this knowledge continues to be preserved within local communities, although it remains relatively undocumented.
“Shergaon has always been much more than a beautiful destination. Our dream is that people leave with more than photographs. We want them to leave with an understanding of the Sherdukpen way of life, the richness of our biodiversity, and the values of community, respect for nature and cultural continuity that have sustained these mountains for generations,” said Ngawang Tsering Thungon, founder of Taksar Lu Farms and co-founder of Shergaon Folk Quest.
Local farmers and artisans will showcase apples, mountain produce and handmade products, while women from the village will prepare traditional meals featuring local herbs, indigenous ingredients and regional delicacies. The organisers believe that food, like music and stories, carries the memory and identity of a place and its people.
The inaugural edition of Shergaon Folk Quest in 2025 welcomed around 550 guests and featured artists from across Northeast India, along with a visiting musician from France. The response highlighted a growing interest in experiences that bring together culture, nature and community in an authentic setting.
As Shergaon Folk Quest enters its second year, its vision remains simple yet ambitious: to create a platform where traditions are not merely displayed but lived, shared and celebrated.
In a rapidly changing world, the festival seeks to encourage deeper conversations around cultural preservation, ecological awareness and the importance of listening to voices emerging from villages, forests and mountains.
For two days in October, Shergaon will become a meeting ground for music, literature, storytelling, nature and community. More importantly, the festival hopes to remind visitors that some of the most valuable stories of our time continue to be carried by people, places and traditions far from the spotlight.