Escape Route to the Hills

IN recent years,a number of music festivals with an impressive line-up of local and international artistes has found place in the indie music fan’s calendar. Among them is the Escape Festival of Arts and Music. The festival that takes place in the green locales of Naukuchiatal every summer is back again,in its sixth edition.

Escape,founded by Lalrinawma Tochhawng in 2009,will be held at Lake Resort from May 24-26,unfolding on two stages called Magic Forest and Soul Garden. Unlike previous years,the line-up comprises only around 20 performers this time. “In 2011,we had 200 artistes in all and it got a bit chaotic,” says Arnav Singhal,festival co-ordinator. On the roll call are biggies such as Nagaland’s pop-rock band Alobo Naga,Delhi’s Faridkot and ska-starters The Ska Vengers. There is also Warren Mendonsa with his solo blues project,Blackstratblues and the EDM folk — Fuzz Culture,Shantam and Frame/Frame.

A few hours on the evening of May 25 will be dedicated to Gyan Singh,the bassist of Kolkata-based rock ’n’ roll band Skinny Alley,who died last year. “We will perform his favourite songs with friends and members of other band,” says Amyt Datta,guitarist,Skinny Alley.

It would be unfair to box Escape as a music festival alone. “Writing,graffiti,painting or cinema are all dots and we are just trying to join them,” says Singhal. Nitin Bal Chauhan and Pallavi Rajakhova will be painting,while Mahima Bhatia and Kuntal Mukherjee will be the star photographers at the festival,along with graffiti artist Waak.

Tickets will be available on http://www.escapefestival.in and are priced at Rs 2,500 for three days