Where art is a tool for visibility

Posted by Sinlung
Northeast showcases its vibrant cultural pallette in Calcutta
ALIPTA JENA
Dancers from Meghalaya perform in Calcutta on Monday. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya
Calcutta, March 30: The Northeast is fighting a fierce battle in Bengal — with colours, drums, handicrafts and fabrics.
And going by Calcutta’s response, it is winning this war of cultural visibility with elan.
Octave, a three-day festival showcasing the art and culture of the Northeast, was inaugurated by Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre here last evening.
Arunachal Pradesh’s emi-relo dance, Bihu from Assam, mastieh of Meghalaya, cheraw of Mizoram, pung cholom and dhol dholak cholom of Manipur, singhi cham of Sikkim and hozagiri of Tripura enthralled the audience on the opening night.
As did the graceful Sattriya and Manipuri Ras Leela on the second day today.
“We have been trying to revive our culture, both within and outside the state. Thankfully, we are winning the battle. Our dance is a form of thanksgiving to the people,” said G. Khonjee, a dancer from Meghalaya.
“We also get to make friends from other states and learn to infuse new elements into our dances. That is what I like best about these cultural fests,” said Narola Jamir, who has a troupe in Dimapur.
Not just dance, the festival includes a crafts fair, an exhibition of paintings and a theatre festival.
On the second day of the festival in Calcutta today, there were plays by stalwart Baharul Islam from Assam and a troupe from Tripura.
While Seagull Academy of Assam presented a light-hearted comedy Aakash, Tripura’s Dharti Aba dwelt on the tribals’ fight against oppression.
There will be repeat shows of both plays tomorrow as well.
“Each an endeavour of ours is a search for perfection. On our shoulders lie a great responsibility, both to perfect our art and to promote it,” said Islam.
For a taste of Northeast’s art, Calcuttans headed for Lalit Kala Akademi for an exhibition of paintings by more than 18 artists from the region.
But the top draw probably has been the crafts fair, prompting even the most prudent spender to loosen their pursestrings.
From Assam’s mekhela chadors, to cane and bamboo products, exotic was the buzzword.
“We try to display only the best,” Chandana Bori from Lakhimpur said proudly.
The attention-grabbing show does not stop here.
Somnath Borah (Oja), a musician from Assam said there was a bigger plan to ensure that the world sits up and takes notice of the regional arts.
On October 10, 10,000 drummers, 10,000 dancers, 2,000 cymbals, 1,000 pepa, 500 gogona, 500 toka, 500 flutes and 500 singers shall perform in unison at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati to do their bit for “world peace and unity”. Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen Garg and Debojit Saha will also perform at the extravaganza.