Tribal artists Meyor and Mishmi perform “Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn” to mark the first sunrise of 2026 in Dong, India’s easternmost village. Photo: Special arrangement | Photo credit: ndpwn
Dong, India’s easternmost village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, welcomed the first sunrise of 2026 on Thursday (January 1, 2026) with ‘Alo Prabhat: The Dawn Dance’, a performance based on the cultural traits of the indigenous Meyor and Mishmi communities.
The performance was part of the inaugural Sunrise Festival organized by the state tourism department at Dong, the first human habitation to receive the first rays of the sun in India. The festival started on December 29, 2025 and ends on Friday (January 2, 2026).
According to the organisers, the ‘Dawn Dance’ was an artistic narrative presented through chants, songs and indigenous rhythms produced using traditional musical instruments combined with contemporary dance and poetry that extolled the radiance of the sun and the spirit of the Dong Valley and its people – the Meyors and Mishmis.
The immersive narrative of hope, harmony and peace featured award-winning filmmaker Shilpika Bordoloi and theater personality Sattyakee D’com Bhuyan, organizers said. The highlight of the day was the Sunrise Pledge for collaborative cultural exchanges.
“Dawn Dance is more than an event; it is a celebration of our shared humanity, bringing together communities, artists and visitors from around the world to witness the magic of India’s first dawn,” an official statement said.
Declaring the festival open three days ago, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the initiative was conceived to create meaningful livelihood opportunities for local communities while promoting responsible and eco-friendly tourism. He hoped the festival would serve as a vital platform for local entrepreneurs and small businesses by showcasing the unique natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 02:22 IST
