TURA: People living in remote areas along the Indo-Bangla border in South West Garo Hills got the opportunity to witness folk dances from various parts of country during the two-day border area programme organised by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Union Ministry of Culture, at Boldamgre and Kata Beel, Norgorpara on November 15 and 16.
As part of the two-day programme, NEZCC in collaboration with state Arts & Culture department showcased the different dance forms including Pong Cholom, Tang-Ta and Cheirol Jagoi from Manipur, Cheraw or bamboo dance from Mizoram, Pai Danda from Uttar Pradesh and Santhali dance from West Bengal. Local troupes from the area including the Garo, Hajong and Koch cultural troupes also performed along with the visiting artistes at Boldamgre and Nogorpara.
South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ramkumar S was the chief guest on the first day at Boldamgre, while the Asstt Commandant, BSF, Sujit Kr. Paul graced the occasion at Nogorpara.
The Deputy Commissioner said the programme, though modest, is of importance for the people of border villages where cultural exchange is minimal. The aim of such cultural programmes is to provide opportunity to people across boundaries to get the chance to see and learn other cultures and in the process, directly engage in first hand cultural exchange, he said.
“I strongly believe that these activities will encourage the youth of the region to form their own cultural organizations in order to promote and preserve their cultural identities.
It is worth mentioning that NEZCC with its head office at Dimapur, Nagaland was established in 1987 under the Union Ministry of Culture to promote and preserve the dying art forms of the North East Region. It organises festivals, workshops and documentations on various folk arts, among others to promote the rich culture of the region.
