Itanagar, March 2, 2026:
In a significant step towards expanding Arunachal Pradesh’s creative footprint, Chief Minister Pema Khandu met Dhruvank Vaidya, Head of Music and Podcast at Spotify India, and Piyapong Muenprasertdee, co-founder of AXEAN Festival, along with singer-songwriter Taba Chake. The meeting followed the “Just Music” event held on 28 February.
Conceived by Taba Chake and organised by the Redcoats Society at the Donyi Polo International Hotel, the initiative aimed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and professional pathways for emerging musicians and creative entrepreneurs from the Northeast.
The programme brought together artists and industry professionals for focused discussions. Indie musician Justh and Taba Chake shared perspectives on songwriting and independent artistry. Yama of Level House spoke on artist management and touring strategies, while guitar luthier Bhrigu Arora of The Tone Door discussed instrument craftsmanship and sound.
Industry insights were strengthened by Dhruvank Vaidya’s interaction on streaming and publishing opportunities for independent artists from emerging markets. Piyapong Muenprasertdee highlighted avenues for regional collaboration and festival circuits across Asia.
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| CM Pema Khandu interacts with Dhruvank Vaidya and Taba Chake in Itanagar on March 2. |
The event also featured expert discussions on streaming platforms, record labels, and networking, alongside live showcases designed to connect local talent with key industry stakeholders.
The interaction with the Chief Minister underscored the state government’s intent to build meaningful partnerships that can amplify Arunachal’s artistic voices and position the state as a growing hub for original music and creative collaboration across Asian and global platforms.
