By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India in collaboration with Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Mizoram and Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya is organizing a four day festival – “14 Tribes of North East India – A Festival of Dance and Music” from August 29 to September 1.
The festival kick started on August 29 at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl which was inaugurated by Mizoram Chief Minister.
The first part of the festival will conclude at Mizoram on August 30 from where it will move to Shillong to be inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister at State Central Library (U Soso Tham) Auditorium on August 31.
“The basic idea behind organizing such festival is to promote and encourage the local traditional and ethnic culture of this region through cultural exchange and to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the region,” said N Munish Singh, Regional Officer, ICCR, Shillong.
On having the festival starting from Mizoram, the Director said, “We have chosen Mizoram as venue for this festival because of its rich and diverse culture. Many colorful dance forms of different tribes will be showcased in this festival.”
The 14 tribes performing in this festival are Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, Kabui Naga, Chiru, Mao, Mizo, Reang, Tiwa, Tarao, Paite, Karbi, Hajong and Mishing.
“We will make documentation on the performing groups and send them to our New Delhi office for empanelment. Few of the best dance group, will get the opportunity of performing abroad in ICCR’s international festival,” said Subhas Singh, Assistant, ICCR, Shillong.
The festival will highlight northeast centric dance forms.
In the opening day, “Rhythm of Manipur” – a group promoting traditional instruments of Manipur, such as, drums and other ethnic instruments will present “Musical Tunes of Northeast India”.
Besides this, a variety of dance forms, like, Cheraw Dance (Bamboo Dance of Mizoram); Kabui Naga Dance (Nagaland); Garo Wangala Dance and Khasi Dance (Meghalaya); Chiru Dance (Nagaland); Paite Dance (Manipur); Mishing Dance (Assam) among others.
The festival is an attempt to promote the various art form of North East India to other parts of India and the world.
Besides Garo Wangala Dance, Khasi and Jaintia Dance of Meghalaya the festival will also showcase Chiru Dance (Nagaland), Mishing Dance (Assam) and Paite Dance (Manipur). Paites means “a group of people marching”.
The concluding day of the festival will also showcase various dance forms of the region.