Artist Call-Out – Kholey Dai Festival 2025

Voluntary Musician Application-

The 5th Edition of Kholey Dai is going to be more soulful than ever a grand gathering of folk musicians, storytellers, and experimental artists from the Darjeeling Hills, Sikkim, Northeast India, and Nepal.

This year, in addition to our curated lineup, we’re opening up voluntary performance opportunities for musicians who want to be part of this growing community and help shape the festival from within.

If you’re passionate about folk, roots, or regional music, and want to share your sound in a space that celebrates culture and connection this is your stage.

About the Festival

Kholey Dai is a community-driven, non-commercial initiative. Our goal is to create a space for artists who keep local stories, languages, and traditions alive and for those reimagining them for new generations.

We’re curating artists who celebrate:

Folk and roots-based sounds
Traditional instruments and regional languages
Experimental blends and cultural storytelling

Please note: This is a non-paid performance opportunity. The festival is entirely self-supported and volunteer-led.

What We Offer

A performance slot on a curated festival stage
Professional photo and video documentation of your live act
Artist features across our social media and partner platforms
Hospitality support (local travel, meals & accommodation limited & based on distance and availability)
Experienced sound engineer and tech support
A space to connect, collaborate, and jam with fellow folk and indie musicians across regions

Selection Details & Guidelines

We will be selecting 5–8 acts in total (solo artists and bands combined).
Preference will be given to:

Folk musicians rooted in local or regional traditions
Artists blending traditional sounds with contemporary storytelling
Performers using local languages and instruments
Acts that bring authentic stories and cultural narratives to the stage

To help manage hospitality support, we’re ideally looking for acts with up to 3–4 members.
Larger groups may still apply and will be considered based on feasibility.

ARTIST / BAND NAME

CONTACT PERSON

Phone

Location

We want to know you better

(Upload your EPK/ ARTIST OR BAND PROFILE )

Add links of your social media page, youtube and your music

Genre / Style of music

Also mention the Language you perform in

Number of Members in the band

(List names and instruments)

Brief Bio

150-200 words

What makes your act unique or rooted in folk tradition ?

(description will be used for media posts)

Selected artists will be contacted via email. If you're not selected this time, please know that your profile will remain on our radar for future editions of the festival.

We encourage you to still join us in person and be part of this growing, community-driven celebration of folk, roots, and regional music.

Thank you for sharing your sound and story with us.

I Agree & Submit My Application

ARTISTS OF 2024

Jhuma Limbu is an ethno-music researcher and a folk musician based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She is a part of Raithane Sangeet Samuha, a movement for the conservation and promotion of Nepali folk music. She has also researched and documented various singing methods of indigenous communities and folk instruments used throughout Nepal for more than 23 years. She was honored with prestigious Narayan Gopal Sangit Samman and awards like Yakhung Yuwa Manch, Lalitpur for her contribution in preserving folk music.

Gauley Bhai, a transtraditional rock band from Bangalore and Kalimpong! Formed in 2017 by friends Siddhant, Veecheet, Anudwatt, and Joe, they blend their unique journeys of migration with sounds from their childhood and city life. Their music, influenced by Nepali folk, South-Indian rhythms, Malian and Tuareg rock, and classic rock and hip-hop, defies labels.
In 2019, they released their debut album "Joro," exploring love, identity, and memory. Stay tuned for their next album, which promises to delve into personal and political themes with dynamic, genre-fluid sound. Get ready to move and groove!

SOFIYUM is a folk-fusion band formed in 2011 by young members from the Mutanchi/Lepcha community of Sikkim, driven by a passion to raise awareness about the endangered Lepcha language. The name "SOFIYUM" means "breeze," symbolizing their gentle yet impactful efforts to revive the language through music. Their songs, blending traditional folk with contemporary influences, resonate deeply with both young and old, instilling a sense of nostalgia and unity. By bridging generational gaps, SOFIYUM’s music brings the timeless spirit of Sikkim’s mountains, rivers, and forests to life, while fostering a renewed connection to the Lepcha heritage.

This alternative/folk/experimental band from Manipur, India, brings together Rishikesh Thangjam, Kamlesh Khundrakpam, Nongpok Arambam, Kumarjit Huirem, and Sumit Lukram. Since 2012, they’ve blended Western classical guitar with the folk sounds of Manipur, creating a unique and fresh musical vibe. With songs in both English and Manipuri, including heartfelt renditions of works by the late playwright Arambam Samarendra, The Koi’s raw and instinctive style captures the spirit of their roots.

Anjali’s love for music blossomed at a very early age, inspired by her mother, who always encouraged her to pursue singing. Over the years, she has participated in few musical competitions, showcasing her passion and talent.
Last year, Anjali had the privilege of performing at Kholeydai, her village’s own festival. Over its four years of existence, Kholeydai has become a significant platform, offering opportunities and building confidence within the local community.
This year, Anjali returns to the Kholeydai stage with even greater confidence and maturity, ready to captivate and inspire her audience once again.

ARTISTS FOR 2023

Bipul Chettri is a singer/songwriter from Kalimpong, based in New Delhi.
His music is reminiscent of tunes and melodies long forgotten in the passage of time, drawing influence from the traditional sounds of the Himalayas.His melodies are based in the Himalayas, and his lyrics are frequently inspired by nature's and life's beauty. He has been a Voting member for the Recording Academy/Grammys for the year 2022-23 and continues to be so for 2023-24 as well.

He has toured and performed in the USA, U.K., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, UAE and across cities in India and Nepal.

Pushpan Pradhan is a celebrated folk musician, lyricist, composer and singer from Dooars (Chalouni Tea garden) . His songwriting does not revolve around fiction or fantasy but is downright practical. His songs are about the struggle of toiling masses, about freedom and injustice. He writes about stories that mainstream music fails to refuge. He blends folk and freestyle creating unique compositions. He rose to fame with his song ‘Baba Ka Jungo’ and has released many popular songs like Panchi, Sir Sir Hawa ma, etc. He has been one of the judges of the famous reality show Voice of Nepal season 4. He has performed in various countries with his band known as पुष्पन अनि सारथी Pushpan and Sarthi.

A refreshingly original music that will leave the mass in awe, “ghugu’mugu” is an answer that renders diversity through their captivating music. a promising trio of like minded musicians having sarod player Anurag “Koinch” Thapa, guitarist Kishor Maharjan and percussionist and drummer Ajay Shrestha. The trio’s receptiveness, observance and understanding of what life beholds embodies an array of influences ranging from local and folk music, western classical, jazz, indian classical, etc. Based in Kathmandu, the trio intends to take their music on a global stage remaining aloof and distinguishable from mainstream music.

Mookhuri is a (traditional and folk) band formed in the year 2014.
The name “Mookhuri” refers to the three stones cooking stove found in most of the kitchens in Meghalaya, It refers to a traditional way of cooking in local kitchens that requires 3 suitable stones of the same height to balance any pots or kettles over a fire. The band came up with the name “Mookhuri” because it is believed that music in the khasi tribal community begins from the hearth where the three stones lie.
Ever since it was formed, the band has performed at different parts of our state playing folk and traditional songs. The band has also come up with more than 10 original compositions and has been performed at many functions and occasions in Meghalaya.

Shreedhya- Born in Siliguri, Snehshree and Sannidhya Thapa were initially trained in Hindustani Classical Music. While Snehshree went ahead to complete her M.Mus in Hindustani classical music, Sannidhya chose to take western vocals and is now studying Music at St. Anthony's Shillong. The sisters come from a family of musicians and consider their parents as a source of inspiration. Together they started the Ashok Rai School of Music Siliguri in 2019 as a tribute to their Grandfather where they teach Indian classical and western contemporary vocal music.

Biswajit is a gold medalist in Tabla from Benaras Hindu University. Under the mentorship of Pt. Praveen Uddhav ( Disciple of Padmashree Pt. Suresh Talvakar) completed his Masters's in Indian Classical music from Banaras Hindu University. He holds keen interest in traditional instruments such as Marchunga (Jaw Harp), Djembe Didgeriddoo, Ektara Mongolian Throat Singing and various other local instruments that are locally used in Kalimpong. He also experiments with his voice and hands in creating new sounds.

Prashida Rai is a poet, composer, and singer who enjoys free form and folk music. Through mellifluous melodies, he pulls together a vivid cacophony of nature in his music with his band Machaan, who is based in Margaret's Hope, Kurseong.
The majority of his songs are about freedom, equality, and social justice for people and tea workers.
Through his music, he vocally campaigns for the rights and equality of tea garden workers, singing for social justice.

Known as Sumi Cooked That, Sumiran Rana has been producing music since 2020 and works as an audio engineer, composer, arranger, and producer from Kalimpong, West Bengal.
As a multi-genre music producer, Sumiran has worked on songs in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. As such, he has produced music with catchy hooks, groovy melodies, and head-banging riffs.
Sumiran completed his diploma in sound engineering in 2022 at the Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism in Pune. His commitment to his profession and great work ethic are genuinely inspirational.
Sumiran constantly pushes the boundaries of his work in an effort to succeed at it.

Adarsh Biswakarma is a multi-instrumentalist who primarily expresses himself through the guitar. He has been playing and producing music since a young age and has collaborated with several projects and bands in the hills, including Yeti Kpg, the Sailenee experience, entropy, monkey business, Himalayan Shamans, black project, and others, and has performed around the country at various venues and festivals.

Based in the Kalimpong District, Warnamala Pariwar engages in a variety of social and environmental activities as well as education. Warnamala means "Garland of Alphabets," which is a literal translation of our labor. Projects Warnamala A children's book and animated film series that teach the Devnagari script, which is used in both Hindi and Nepali. For the past ten years, they have been hosting events to promote the ethnic languages and cultures of the Himalayas. The goal is to deceive kids into learning a song that inadvertently teaches them the alphabet.
Deoashish Mothey a musician and also a passionate lyrical activist. He uses his musical talents as a powerful tool for raising awareness and educating people about creating clean environments. As the founder of Warnamala Pariwar, Deoashish has a vision of integrating music into primary education for children through innovative means such as animation, illustrations, books, alphabet games, and transforming children's poems into engaging songs with animated content.
He has initiated an ongoing campaign known as "Teesta Calling," which focuses on the Teesta River, the sole river flowing through the Eastern Himalayas of Sikkim. Deoashish is deeply committed to preserving this vital natural resource. In addition to his educational and environmental endeavors, Deoashish is a vital member of the Three Seas Cross Cultural Band, a musical group dedicated to representing the unique sounds of Darjeeling and the Himalayas.

FOLK DANCE

To revive the tradition and culture, many dying folk arts like Maruni, Tamang Selo, Silli dances will be presented by local groups from nearby villages and tribal boards. The performance will remind us of the significance that such arts hold in the everyday life of the local community.

Silli Dance

Lepcha Folk dance
Maruni Dance
Tamang Selo
Limbu Cultural Group
Damai Cultural Group
Mangar Cultural Group
Khas Cultural Group
Bhujel Cultural Group
Sarki Cultural Group
Dhan Naach