Inside the Vision of Bir Music Festival Founder: A Celebration of Indie Music and Mountain Magic

Bir Music Festival Founder Alakhananda Sharma shares her mission to promote indie artists and local culture in a soulful Himalayan setting.

shivani Poli June 13, 2025

29 2 minutes read

Bir Music Festival Founder Alakhananda Sharma on Supporting Indie Artists and Celebrating Culture Amidst the Himalayas

This is peaceful Bir in the Himalayas, known to many for the pleasures of paragliding, but increasingly to be recognized by all for the cultural heartbeat that is now growing within it- the Bir Music Festival. As it gets ready for its twelfth season, the visionary founder, Alakhananda Sharma, continues on her mission to provide a stage for indie musicians and to keep the pulse of Bir alive culturally.

Dreams for celebrating music in the hills have finally been transformed into founding and running a music festival. It truly is remarkable. This is also the first female entrepreneur to own a music festival in India. Her tale resonates as much as the melodies which echo across the valleys of Bir, every June. Starting with raising the local economy during the pandemic, now it has become one of the grandest platforms in India for independent music, with over four hundred independent artists performing below the Himalayan open sky.

During a recent conversation, Sharma commented on a few things that define the heart of the festival: “The artist lineup is the most debated and sensitive part,” she explained. “But from day one, our focus has been on artists with original compositions that move us, not on how many followers they have on Instagram.” Her words provide much less to the “algorithms” often neglected by commercial festivals in favor of a rare adherence to artistry.

Music layers the whole festival. Sharma points out that the cultural and spiritual depth of Bir is to the core of this experience. There is more to gain from performances-it is a taste of authentic Himachali life. Every feature is carefully constructed: enjoying local dishes and browsing handmade crafts, watching an actual concert from Himachal, and every single element was thought of toward preserving and promoting the identity of Bir.

Other wellness-aided offerings include sound healing and morning yoga, making it holistic for mind, body, and soul. In the words of Sharma, a combination of “music, community, and connection” truly differentiates the Bir Music Festival.

This weekend, the festival begins brightly with powerful performances from musical titans like Nizami Bandhu and Rajeev Raja, setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration under the stars. As excitement builds, it is clear that this is much more than an event for music; it is a movement powered by unquenchable love for independent music and the spiritual essence of the mountains.

An inspiring vision of Alakhananda’s is likely to illuminate the way for the budding talent across India. Under “We will always promote indie artists,” this pledge is more than just a purpose but resonates through every note played and every soul touched in the mystical town of Bir.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join.

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.