Octave, a cultural extravaganza initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India gave opportunity to many cityite of India to experience the rich cultural heritage of North Eastern States of India. Octave festivals have been organized by the Zonal Cultural Centres and Academies functioning under Ministry of Culture and State Directorates of Culture.
Recently I was involved in the Octave@ Ajmer jointly organized by the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur and Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer from 21 to 25 September,2016 at Vidya Vihar Complex ,MDS University. The preparations of making a huge stage and other decorations of creating ambience of North East started much earlier. The best part was interaction sessions with the students of six Local Colleges where the artistes from North East not only presented dances of their respective states but also witnessed dances of Rajasthan performed for them. Many young boys and girls captured each other in their Mobile cameras.
The Festival was inaugurated by the honorable Governor of Rajasthan who is also Chairperson of MDSU and WZCC.on 21 Sept 2016 by lighting lamp in august presence of Shri Arun Chaturvedi, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment was guest of Honor where as it was presided by the Vice Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Univercity, Prof. Kailash Sodani. Entire audience was mesmerized to see a kaleidoscopic view of North East on the well decorated stage. Each dance had its distinct colorful costume, peculiar instruments, melodious music, and thematic movements arresting attention of spectators.
One could see vast diversity of rich culture of 8 North Eastern states which are integral part of India.
Manipur show cased Thangta the most vibrant martial arts of the stage engrossing the audience. The sparks from their weapons put every onlooker in excitement. The Cheirol Jagoi Stick dance was also amazing. The Lauhsha Dance of Mirang tribe was action packed. The Land of the Rising Sun, Arunachal Pradesh was represented by a folklore dance performance Geyomza by the Misi tribe commenting on early child marriage where the Thappu Dance by the Adi tribe described victory in the war. Tripura presented Hozagiri dance by the girls of Reiyang community known for their flexible body. Their elegant supple movements balancing bottles with burning lamps on their head was a rare treat. Another dance Mamita by the Tripuri tribe was a happy composition of farmer community. Mizoram presented Solakia dance by Mara community and world fame Cherow (Bamboo dance) by Mizo community had a combination of vibrancy and delicacy. Nagaland’s
Nagda dance showcased peculiar culture of the state where the artistes produced fresh fire from rubbing bamboos and presented a soulful dance imbibing their high quality community singing. Their attire was so attractive that many families clicked photos with them after the show.
Singi Chham(Snow Lion Dance) of Sikkim stole the show with their captivating performance, Bhuruva Silli, a colorful dance of Raee girls was of great attraction. Bodo girls presented Dhal Thungri and Bardaisikhla dances along with their peculiar instruments like Shifung, Serja, Toka and Kham. Bihu with graceful movements of girls and traditional music ensemble of Pempa, Bahi, Sutoli, Assamese Dhol was central of attraction. Wangala of Garo tribe and Shad Suk Minsim of Khasi Community were at their best.
The entire team of artistes presented “Sanskruti Sangam” choreographed by Dr. Laique Hussain and assisted by Pankaj Nagar was an audio visual treat to the audience.
Octave had one more prominent feature of adding North-Eastern Poet’s Meet and Symposium on North-Eastern Literature Today on 23 Sept 2016. Shri Devendra Kumar Devesh (OSD-Programme),Sahitya Akademi informed that eminent. Assamese writer Shri Laxmi Nandan Bora while gracing the Poet Meet expressed his concern that English has caused threatening to regional languages. Bodo, Missing,Mog, Khasi, Neeva are slowly extinguishing. Eminent Rajasthani and Hindi Poet, Shri Chandra Prakash Deval told that beauty of India depends upon her Languages, Dialects, Literature and stories. graced the Poet’s meet which was contributed by Crary Mog Chaudhary(Mog), Birbhadra Karkidholi(Nepali),Taro Sindik(Hindi),Bipul Jyoti Saikia(Assamese),Gopinath Bramha (Bodo),Kshetri Rajen(Manipur) and Dipak Doely (Missing).
The Second Session of symposium on North –Eastern Literature Today was chaired by Chandrakant Mura Singh(Kakborak) and contributed by Arindam Sharma (Assamese),Phukan Basumtary(Bodo),Anata Kumar Nath (Hindi),Irom Robindro Singh (Manipuri),Rudra Baral(Nepali).
The contribution of Sangeet Natak Akedemy was reflected in to prominent divine performances of classical dances. On 23 Sept, Sattriya classical dance was performed by Smt. Anita Tamuli and group of Dulijan Club, Assam presented Rajgaria Chali Dance and Abhinaya on the composition “Moye Krishna Buli Kore Bhavna”. This graceful dance in different beats like Thunki Taal, Sutaa taal, Pudi taal and Sut taaal won appreciation.
Manipuri Raas was presented on 24 Sept. was production of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Akademy, Imphal. This group presented very graceful Manipur Raas classical dance. This was Vasant Raas depicted the yearning of the Gopies for communion with their beloved Lord Krishna. The quintessence of Manipuri Raas is subdued eloquence which was presented very elegantly.
TRIFED, New Delhi sent 30 craft stalls of the North Eastern states to show case rich indigenous handicrafts and handlooms to the people of Ajmer. These exclusive artifacts were very attractive, but were not very happy with the sale proceeds.
The Lalit Kala Akademy organized exhibition of paintings of the artistes of North Eastern states. Students and faculty of Arts as well as art lovers appreciated the works.
Octave concluded melodious note of choral singing of Nagaland and Rock Band of Mizoram. “Harmonic Voices Nagaland” a group of 15 members left impact on the music lovers. Choir Director Akhrou Koza and his team had perfect combination of singers in Soprano, Tenor, Bass and Alto. A singer Topeni K Assumi said “Echoes of music is simply and carefully titled to represent the songs we sing, it resound the music that has inspired us in our journey of life, to inspire people and make our music echo in their hearts.” All ten popular songs were impressive. Song “Lean on me” on friendship was amazing.
The Rock Band, “THE PROFHETS” OF Nagaland literary rocked the audience. Their songs of this Christian band were about world crises, abortion, pollution, corruptions and popular folklore. Their creation “Arora” was remarkable; This Music Video also won best Music Video of 2015. Artistes Eric(Lead Guitar),Gordon(Base Guitar),Samuel(Key board),Mamoia(Drums) and Ronnie (Vocal) did their best.
On behalf of the organizers Prof. Kailash Sodani, Vice Chancellor of MDSU and Shri Furqan Khan ,Director of WZCC thanked all the collaborators and supporters of making this Mega festival a successful event. I was fortunate to anchor the programmes on all the days with my associates Durgesh Chandwani and Hina Pandya. While preparing script for the comparing the show I usually discuss many aspects of the art form so that we may deliver authentic information in interesting interactive manner. My past experience helps me a lot to be at ease with the performing groups. Programmes on such big scale have full potential to bring people of our country closure culturally which breaks the political and geographical boundaries.
