SHILLONG: From the extension of Williamson Sangma Museum in Shillong to working on the heritage project of Brookside Building at Rilbong, the Department of Arts and Culture has taken up various projects with an aim to provide fillip to the arts and culture scenario in the State.
Replying to a query by The Shillong Times, Matsiewdor War, Director of Arts and Culture briefed about the various projects undertaken by the department.
“The construction of the Shillong International Center for Performing Arts & Culture (SICPAC) is underway. The amphitheater in Mawlai is nearing completion, while the process of constructing the same is in progress in Tura and Jowai,” she informed.
According to the Arts and Culture Director other projects to be taken up include the Creation Center of Indigenous Culture in Tura and Mawphlang respectively.
Projects in Garo hills include Center of Knowledge for Indigenous Arts at Betasing, South West Garo Hills and establishment of a museum in Tura while the Multi-purpose Cultural Complex at Williamnagar, East Garo Hills is already complete.
War also informed that the department is also promoting indigenous folk and tribal arts and culture, and vanishing art forms in the state.
“In addition the department encourages and organizes activities including music, cultural dance and literary workshops. Research issues are also being taken up relating to the welfare of the three tribes,” she said.
Protection work of sites of cultural heritage is also being taken up, she informed.
“Compilation of District Gazettes is under progress,” she said adding that at present 1535 records from 28 department from SAD (Record) and 1779 from DC, Record room have been collected by the Archives’ branch.
“To showcase the artistic talents in the state, programmes are initiated in different parts of the country as organised by North East Zone Cultural Center (NEZCC) under the Ministry of Culture. The Department also initiates and sponsors various activities through the District Arts and Culture Societies, which includes Ahaia Tura Winter Fest, Dimchrang Festival, Ampati Blocks and District Cultural Camps, Nokpante Cultural Festival, Simsang Festival, Sohra Cultural Festival etc,” the Director, Arts and Culture informed.
The Director also referred to various schemes in this regard including the Intensive Art and Culture Development Programmme (IACDP), Department of Traditional Folk Music (DTFM), Literary Award (LA), Living Heritage Scheme (LHS) etc.
Indicating that 18 degrees Festival and CALM Festival among others are a platform for the involvement and promotion of cultural and international activities which involves people from all walks of life, the Director said that with the wide participation and appreciation by all, “it was able to meet some areas of focus through and within the plan allocation.”
