DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): Speaking at the inaugural function of the Cultural Festival of North East India at Patna, Nagaland Governor and Chairman, NEZCC, K Sankaranarayanan congratulated the Government of Patna, Union Ministry of Culture, East Zone Cultural Centre, Kolkata, and North East Zone Cultural Centre for taking up the initiative to hold the festival as part of the Octave – 2008 Festivals. He elucidated that the prime objective of holding the event was to disseminate and create awareness about the rich culture of the eight northeastern states through the National Cultural Exchange Programme (NCEP) & Octave festivals in various parts of the country.
The Governor also lauded the role of the Seven Zonal Centers that have been contributing immensely for the cultural and emotional integration of this unique and diverse nation. Stating that Northeast India, also fondly called the land of Seven Sisters, and Sikkim, is a fascinating place with enchanted frontiers, Sankaranarayanan briefly highlighted the geographical, physical and cultural characteristics of the regions.
“The ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity of the region is as much breathtaking and awesome as its verdant hills, meandering rivers and lush valleys,” stated the Governor of Nagaland while adding that through this region “many races and cultures fuse and melt into the composite culture of the melting pot that is India.”
K Sankaranarayanan also spoke on the traditional poetry and folksongs of this region which “mostly veer round prayers to Gods, war cries, joys of victory and love-songs,” adding that the musical sounds resemble those of raw nature and wildlife. He also described the people’s motifs on shawls and clothes which he said, sometimes relates motifs on their shawls and clothes. Describing the special features of each state, the Governor said that for the next 5 days, the people of Patna would be exposed to the culture, art, music and dance forms of the eight northeastern states that will go a long way in bringing the people of Patna closer to the people of North East India.
At the same time, he opined that the festival would also help artistes of North East India to learn and understand the rich culture and traditions of Bihar, which has been the centre of power, learning and culture since ancient times when Bihar was known as Magadha, from which India’s first Empire, the Maurya Empire, as well as one of the greatest religions, Buddhism, arose.
It may be noted that approximately 500 artistes drawn from the northeastern region, consisting of different streams of art forms, ranging from folk and tribal music and dance, theatre groups, choral singing/rock band groups, craftspersons, traditional costumes display group and painters, are participating in this five-day cultural extravaganza. The previous edition of the Octave Festival was held in the month of February 2008 at Thiruvananthapuram, which is said to have been a grand success and well appreciated by the people of Kerala.
