Guests bid goodbye with promise to return
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SHILLONG: After a flurry of activities the curtains came down on the four-day CALM Fest on Saturday. The Creative Arts, Literature and Music (CALM) festival which took wings in 2012 is now into its 4th edition.
Conceived by the Sahaki Society, founded in 2010 by the husband wife duo- Hansel Shabong and Sambha Lamarr, CALM is now on the itinerary of all connoisseurs of arts, literature, music, fashion and what have you.
The first edition of CALM saw bestselling author Chetan Bhagat talk about being a super achiever, to a packed hall. The second and third editions had their share of book releases, music and stand-up comedy.
This time Wendell Rodricks, prominent fashion designer from Goa who is listed among the top ten designers in India and has also authored the book, “The Green Room,” was the special attraction.
Bina Ramani, socialite, successful entrepreneur and fashion designer par excellence, discussed her book, “Bird in a Banyan Tree,” which was released by Sadaf Saaz, writer, entrepreneur and activist from Bangladesh. The book is a poignant account of Bina Ramani’s life from the time her family left Pakistan as refugees in 1947 and came to live in Mumbai, to her growing up years in London, a loveless marriage and a horrendous account of living with a violent man, her divorce thereafter and return to India.
Ramani’s daughter owned Tamarind Court a pub in Delhi where Jessica Lall, a model was shot dead by Manu Sharma when she refused to serve him drinks after the bar had closed for the night. Following this sensational killing, Bina Ramani, the only witness who did not back off even under threat from Sharma’s father, found herself punished instead by the Indian judicial system. She even served time at Tihar jail. Ramani could hardly hide her tears while telling her story. She is still paying the price for standing up as a witness!
A discussion on Literature in vibrant South East Asia by three South Asian authors, Ashok Ferrey of Sri Lanka, Prajwal Parajuly from India whose book, ‘The Gurkha’s Daughter’ a best seller has won rave reviews abroad, and Tshering Tashi of Bhutan was moderated by Sadaf Saaz. Each of the authors said that writing in English helps reach out to a world audience. None was apologetic about the allegation that South Asians writing in English were pandering to a western audience. Ashok Ferry said that authors writing in the vernacular often failed to meet literary standards and released too many books in a short time.
A conversation between Jungmayangla Longkumer author of the book of poems, ‘Gift in the Pot’ was exceedingly delightful. Longkumer narrated how she was inspired to write her poems after she saw women in her village, Mokokchung cooked theirindigenous delicacies in clay pots and how diligently they made and shaped these pots with their hands. Director Art and Culture, Matsiewdor War released the book and also spoke about how her Department has organised pottery workshops for crafts-persons from Meghalaya. She felt that unless this art is revived and sustained by pro-active interventions from the Government, it would soon die out.
A panel discussion titled, “Are we racist?” moderated by Ashok Ferrey saw Prof AK Nongkynrih, Toki Blah and Chhimi Tenduf La get into an animated discussion on the theme. What can be distilled out of the discussion was that the word ‘racism’ is a western implant and the ethnic tensions and communal disharmony witnessed in India are not necessarily racist as perceived in the west. Prof Nongkynrih also clarified that in social science fundamentalism does not necessarily mean imposition of one’s belief’s and ideology on another; it is fanaticism which is the problems and leads to violence, he said.
Discussions aside there was music and humour. Papa CJ, India’s leading stand-up comedian kept the crowd in splits. There was something for every age group at CALM. Children had their own space and the puppetry workshop was quite a hit. So were the story-telling sessions.
But the high point of this CALM fest was Daniel Syiem’s exquisite collection of Ryndia silk transformed into stunning dresses which held the audience in awe. Daniel’s models looked ethereal as they exhibited a haute-couture that is equal to the best in the world. Daniel who had just returned from the Toronto Fashion Festival where he had exhibited his enviable wardrobe, was present with Wendell Rodricks, Bina Ramani and his models.
CALM means different things to different people. Authors, artists, poets, musicians coming from outside Meghalaya and abroad find this festival quaint yet unique. They mingle with the crowd, strike up conversations and learn so much about this place.
The Don Bosco Museum attracted quite a number of visitors and so too the Sacred Groves of Mawphlang.
“We love this place and its people,” was a common refrain from all the visitors. Some, however, felt that the attendance during the panel discussions were discouraging. Could it be the timings, or the month of May? Several collage teachers expressed their regret at missing out on the CALM fest because they had to correct answer scripts. There were not too many participants from the local universities too, though the discussions on LGBT, Depression etc could have provided a great learning experience!