Guwahati: Dong, India’s easternmost village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, welcomed the first sunrise of 2026 on Thursday with “Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn,” a cultural performance rooted in the traditions of the indigenous Meyor and Mishmi communities.
The event formed part of the inaugural Sunrise Festival, organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department, which began on December 29, 2025, and will conclude on January 2. Dong, the first human settlement in India to receive sunlight each day, served as the venue for the celebrations.
Organisers said “Dance of the Dawn” combined chants, songs, and rhythms created on traditional musical instruments with contemporary dance and poetry to celebrate the sun’s radiance and the spirit of the Dong Valley and its people. Award-winning filmmaker Shilpika Bordoloi and theatre personality Sattyakee D’com Bhuyan participated in the performance. A Sunrise Pledge promoting collaborative cultural exchanges was also a highlight of the event.
An official statement said, “‘Dance of the Dawn’ is more than a performance; it celebrates shared humanity by bringing together communities, artists, and visitors from across the world to witness India’s first sunrise.”
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who inaugurated the festival three days ago, said the initiative aimed to generate livelihood opportunities for local communities while promoting responsible and eco-friendly tourism. He added that the festival would provide a platform for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to showcase Arunachal Pradesh’s unique natural beauty and cultural heritage.