Bob Marley and his group, the Wailers, won audiences for reggae all over the world and influenced countless other musicians.  Marley is regarded as one of the world’s greatest musicians and has the great ability to inspire people in every race and culture. His songs are a great way to inspire people to come together. Generations of Arunachalee youngsters too have grown up listening to the music of this reggae legend.

To commemorate the ‘Revolutionary artist’ and the ‘Rasta Prophet’s’ birthday (Revolutionary artist” and “Rasta Prophet” are just a few names that people all over the world would recognize Bob Marley by) Phoenix Rising, an event management group based in Itanagar headed by Bobby Hano a diehard fan of Bob Marley organized a great music festival on March 2nd, 2013 under the theme ‘Music for peace and brotherhood’ as a tribute to the legendary revolutionary and to celebrate his birthday in Itanagar & Naharlagun - the twin capital cities of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Arunachalees Tribute to the Reggae Legends-Bob Marley Festival featured the biggest and brightest stars from the North East region. Jengging Vibes, Daniel and Soul Rebels, Lone Stallion and Roots Reggae band and Taba Chake, an independent acoustic solo guitar artist are just some of the artists who performed during the Arunachal tribute to the ‘Rasta Prophet’ Bob Marley. 

The Dree ground, located at Papu Nallah in between Itanagar and Naharlagun on March 2nd wore a festive look as hundreds of Bob Marley enthusiasts descended to toast to the great musician who inspired generations of youth across the globe. Organized by Phoenix Rising event management group, the festival witnessed scintillating performances from many bands of the region.

All the bands paid tribute to the legendary musician by playing his numbers as the whole arena stood and swayed to the insinuating rhythms and reiterated chants of the different bands with their almost mystical performances. However, the evening belonged to Roots Reggae Band from Shillong. The beautiful sisters’ duo of Elaine Wallang and Andrea Tariang won the hearts of all present with their mystic performance. Adding to the spice, Gino Thangkiew, a talented youngster, spruced up the evening with a breathtaking performance.

The air was filled with a reggae atmosphere and the crowd was transported to the 70s era as a documentary on late Marley was played. The event organizer, Bobby Hano expressed his joy over the successful conduct of the festival and exuded his hope of making it an annual feature.

A documentary film on the Ziro Festival of Music held last year was also screened during the festival. Food court, tarot card reading, photo display of renowned photographers of the state such as Arif Siddique, Jummar Basar, Dewan Gamlin, Luvjoy Choker and etc were other added attractions of the festival.

Many people came to this festival because they simply love Marley’s music. One of Marley’s diehard fans  says “Bob wasn’t just a singer; he was a man who changed my life and taught me many things, even though I didn’t know him. When I listen to his songs I feel like I’m in another place. I highly recommend listening to his songs and getting to know his amazing world!”

The day - long celebration also featured paintings, calligraphy, face painting etc which enthralled the Reggae Fans who Got Up, Stood Up for his Birthday.

Know your Reggae Legend: Bob Marley Bob Marley, the most popular Reggae singer in the world was born in Jamaica on February 6th, 1945. He started to learn music and write songs when he was 17 years old. He later established a band called ‘The Wailers’.  Around that time he joined the Rastafarian Movement and started to grow his hallmark dreadlocks. Almost all his songs talk about love, politics and freedom. On May 11th, 1981 Bob Marley died from cancer. His last words to his son were “Money can’t buy life.” Nesta Robert “Bob” Marley, (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rock steady and reggae bands The Wailers and Bob Marley & The Wailers. Marley is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience. Marley’s music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica. His best-known hits include ‘I Shot the Sheriff’, ‘No Woman, No Cry’, ‘Could You Be Loved’, ‘Stir It Up’, ‘Get Up Stand Up’, ‘Jamming’, ‘Redemption Song’, ‘One Love’ and, ‘Three Little Birds’, as well as the posthumous releases ‘Buffalo Soldier’ and ‘Iron Lion Zion’. The compilation album Legend (1984), released three years after his death, is reggae’s best-selling album, going ten times Platinum and selling 25 million copies worldwide.

Chow Bilaseng Namchoom