GUWAHATI, Oct 28 � Folk dance and music will provide a glimpse into the colourful diversity of the North East with an aim to highlight the best of the region before mainstream India.
The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Union Ministry of Culture, is organizing a Shilp Mela coinciding with the �Discover North East� � a festival of the North East � at Shilpgram, Panjabari here from October 29 to take forward the culture of the region.
One of the highlights of the festival that will conclude on November 2 will be a national crafts and cuisine mela. This exhibition will be inaugurated on the Oct 29 morning while the evening show will feature renowned mime artiste Moinul Haque and Jadu Samrat Vikram.
The second day of the fiesta will feature Zubeen Garg while Darpan Dance Akademi will be presenting a dance-drama on October 31.
Another attraction of the festival will be the choreographed folk dance and music on November 1 and 2, featuring more than 130 performing artistes in the same stage from the entire North East region who will be joined by artistes from other parts of the country, choreographed by artiste Dr Prashanna Gogoi.
�Before we can stand united outside, we the diversified people of the northeast must understand each other in a better way and strengthen the bond amongst us. We also want to make it an annual affair,� said NEZCC director Lipokmar Tzudir, adding that, Discover North East has been conceptualised keeping in view the enchanting and colourful culture of the North East region that deserves its due appreciation and respect.
�NEZCC is of the opinion that the atrocities faced by the North East communities in other parts of the country is primarily out of ignorance about the region, and therefore, a concerted effort is deemed appropriate to showcase the best of the North East�s way of life, which needs to be realised first within the region, and the same needs to be taken forward to the rest of the country to garner respect and appreciation,� said Tzudir.
A team of cultural groups will also visit Jagiroad area to take part in a cultural exchange programme with the local people. Accordingly, artistes from the Tiwa community will be performing with various artistes of the North East on the occasion.
The event has already been organised in Nagaland and Sikkim while NEZCC will conduct the festival in the remaining states within March next year.
