One Man is an Island

The Majuli Music Festival in Assam shines the light on the world's largest inhabited river island and the need to keep its indigenous culture alive

- KASTURI DAS

Majuli has been screaming for attention. It is the world's largest inhabited river island and a melting pot of Assam's neo-Vaishnavite, and indigenous tribal cultures, and famous for its 22 satras (monastic centres) introduced in the 15th century. Ravaged by floods annually, and washed away by bits and pieces, the island which used to be spread over 1,250 sqkm before 1950, now barely spans 483 sqkm.

Experts warn that in the next two to three decades, Majuli may vanish from the world map entirely. The island has been seeking UNESCO World Heritage status tag for over a decade now, but without success.

In 2002, a local festival in Majuli sparked a vision in Mukul Doley, a young music enthusiast from Majuli's Jengraimukh area. That early inspiration grew into what is now the Majuli Music Festival.

Doley, now 39, left his corporate job in Mumbai to bring this vision to life, dedicating himself to his community through the festival, which has been held annually since 2019.

"That mahotsav in my village gave me the idea to revamp the concept of a festival," says Doley, who has been managing the festival with his wife and co-founder, Momee Pegu.