Newmai News Network Shillong | August 21 Blessed with a rich cultural heritage, Meghalaya has numerous dance forms in its kitty and to preserve, promote and increase the exposure level, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is contemplating a mega expo of dances of Meghalaya. “It is very important to identify and promote other forms of traditional dances of the state as well and the state government is contemplating to come up with a Hornbill Festival like festival of Nagaland to achieve this,” said the state’s Art and Culture Minister, AL Hek on Tuesday. Speaking about this festival, Hek said that the government is currently holding talks and discussions and the festival of traditional dances or mega traditional festival should be a competitive one and a confluence of all dance forms in the state. Hek also stressed on the need to preserve and promote the various dance forms apart from the usual dances commonly exhibited during government functions or festivals. He is of the view that this initiative will also help in the promotion of cultural tourism. Dances in Meghalaya are usually associated with festivals like the – Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, an annual spring dance which celebrates the harvesting and sowing seasons. Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem – Nongkrem dance, which is a part of the religious festival, Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap – a ceremonial dance that expresses sorrow and the Laho Dance which forms a part of the Behdienkhlam festival. Apart from these dances there are many more forms which are little known about.
