Mamata Banerjee To Inaugurate Darjeeling Music Fest Featuring Rock Icon Kee Marcello

The Darjeeling hills are set to resonate with music and celebration as the second edition of the Melo-Tea Festival kicks off on December 19, 2024. This four-day cultural extravaganza, jointly organized by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and Darjeeling Police, aims to promote tourism, nurture local talent, and create youth employment opportunities.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, known for her love of arts and culture, will remotely inaugurate the festival from Kolkata during her simultaneous launch of the Park Street Christmas Carnival. The festival’s opening day will also feature a performance by Swedish rock legend Kee Marcello, former guitarist of Europe, whose 1986 hit The Final Countdown remains iconic.

Darjeeling’s own band, Mantra, led by Pragyya Lama, will share the stage with Marcello in what Lama calls a “dream come true” moment. “Darjeeling has a long tradition of band music, and this festival feels like a revival of those golden days,” he reflected.

This year’s festival will include performances by over 100 bands competing for cash prizes worth ?40 lakhs, alongside guest acts like Nepal's folk ensemble Kutumba and Nagaland’s rock band About Us. Other attractions include a Land Rover rally, rock climbing, paragliding, fashion shows, and a short film competition.

On December 22, the festival’s finale will merge music with sports through the Darjeeling Hill Marathon, offering an additional cash prize of ?9.8 lakhs. Organizers also highlight opportunities for tourists to explore Darjeeling’s hidden trails and hikes, curated by local youth and tour operators.

SP Praween Prakash emphasized the festival's impact on the region, noting that it not only generates economic opportunities but also shifts focus away from past socio-political unrest. “This event is about empowering the local community and bringing positive energy to the hills. The involvement of international performers is a huge boost for local talent.”

Last year, the festival saw 40 stalls generate ?25 lakhs in income. With increased participation this year, the event promises even greater economic and cultural impact, solidifying its potential to become a marquee winter event for the region.