A Seven Sisters Road Trip Playlist: Music of the Northeast
By the 7 Sister Ridezz team in Guwahati. Published 24 Oct 2026. About 1 min read.
A road trip across the Northeast is best with its own music: Bihu songs from Assam, the songs of Bhupen Hazarika, Khasi folk and rock from Shillong, Naga folk, Manipuri and Mizo songs, and Kokborok tunes from Tripura.
Why music matters here
In the Northeast, music is part of every journey. Bihu songs play through spring in Assam, Shillong is called the rock capital of India, and car stereos on the hill roads are rarely quiet.
One sound for each sister state
- Assam: fast Rongali Bihu songs with dhol, pepa and gogona, and the timeless songs of Bhupen Hazarika, the bard of the Brahmaputra.
- Meghalaya: Khasi and Garo folk songs, and the rock and blues bands that Shillong is famous for.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Monpa and Adi folk songs for the long climb to Sela Pass and Tawang.
- Nagaland: Naga folk harmonies, best heard live at the Hornbill Festival every December.
- Manipur: Manipuri classical and folk music, and the modern Meitei songs played in every Imphal taxi.
- Mizoram: Mizo gospel and pop, which you will hear in every Aizawl cafe.
- Tripura: Kokborok and Bengali folk songs for the road to Agartala and Unakoti.
Building your playlist
Mix fast Bihu numbers for the Assam plains with slower songs for the misty climb to Shillong, Kohima or Tawang. Ask your driver for local favourites: they always have some.
Download your songs before you leave, as the network can drop in the hills.
Planning the trip
We run self-drive cars, cars with driver and tour packages to all seven sister states from Guwahati. See our tour packages or send us your route on WhatsApp.