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Culture

Breaking News

Meghalaya

<p><h4>Shillong, July 15, 2019:</h4></p><p>The Northeastern hill State of Meghalaya seems undeterred by the relentless rain and the accompanying floods which have impacted the entire country, including Meghalaya. However, the people still have a reason to smile about as they are still celebrating their indigenous festivals with pomp and glory.</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside/videos/2063972643706894/</p><p>On Sunday, the people of the hill state came together to celebrate the Behdeinkhlam festival as they splashed around in the water and partook in festivities. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took to Twitter to share pictures of the festival along with the words: "Witnessed the annual colourful Behdeinkhlam festival at Jowai. The festival gave an opportunity to connect to our roots and has enabled us to reinstate the spirit of peace, unity and fraternity of our diverse culture."</p><p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/SangmaConrad/status/1150350358780059649">&nbsp;</a></p></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>The Chief Minister also shared a bird's eye pic of the revellers along with the words: "Glimpse of the colourful Behdeinkhlam, a festival of indigenous faith - Naimtre."</p><p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/SangmaConrad/status/1150352870622945280">&nbsp;</a></p></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>According to the locals, Behdein means to drive away with stick and Khlam means plague or pestilence. It literally means to drive away evils and plague and the evil that pollutes humanity in many forms.</p><p>It is used to seek divine blessing for a rich harvest in the year ahead. It’s the most significant festival in the socio-economic life of the Jaintia people those who believe in the Niamtre or traditional faith. Behdeinkhlam festival prays for good health and for the prosperity of the people asking for heavenly blessings for a plentiful harvest of crops.</p><p>Behdeinkhlam is a four-day festival where people of different age make their way to the ground called Biar (sacred muddy pool) to wipe away evil from society.</p><p><em>Inside Northeast’s Campaign <strong>#LetsSaveDeeporBeel</strong> is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats (A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention). We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the <strong>#LetsSaveDeeporBeel</strong> campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!</em></p><p><div class="code-block code-block-1"></p><p><em>Download:</em></p><p><em>The Inside Northeast app <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a> for News, Views and Reviews from Northeast India.</em></p><p><em>Do <a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a> for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.</em></p><p></div></p>

Meghalaya Celebrates 'Festival of Peace' Behdeinkhlam

<p><h4>Gangtok, June 18, 2019:</h4></p><p>The Saga Dawa Festival, which is one of the most important festivals of Sikkim, is finally underway in Sikkim. The festival began on 17 July and the festivities will continue for one whole month. Saga Dawa is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment, and the attainment of Nirvana of Gautam Buddha.</p><p>The festivities mostly happen across Gangtok in the form of processions, prayers, and extending alms to the needy.</p><p>Since it is observed on the full moon day of the 4th month of the Buddhist Lunar Calendar, a fixed date is not available for Saga Dawa.</p><p>Saga Dawa, which is also called the 'Triple Blessed Festival' is an auspicious month for the Sikkimese Buddhists with prayers held throughout the month in various monasteries.</p><p>On the full moon of this 4th month of the Tibetan calendar [celebrated as Buddha Purnima in the rest of India] is the main celebration.</p><p>It is believed that on this day the Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment and achieved nirvana.</p><p>A colourful procession of monks playing musical instruments and devotees carrying holy texts, portraits and statues of Lord Buddha is taken out in Gangtok as well as in other towns and villages of Sikkim. People gather in the streets to touch their heads with the holy scriptures in order to receive blessings.</p><p>It may be mentioned that the festival is being observed in different countries under different names. It is widely believed that the Buddhist community has been celebrating the festival for many centuries.</p><p><em>Keep following <a href="https://insidene.com/">Inside Northeast</a> on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. </em><em>Do <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidene.app&amp;hl=en">download our app from the Google Playstore</a> for the latest news updates, views, and entertainment on the go. We deliver the Northeast.</em></p>

Saga Dawa

'Saga Dawa' Celebrations Begin in Sikkim

<p><h4>Guwahati, April 21, 2019:</h4></p><p>Southeast Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China and Japan, east of India, west of Papua New Guinea, and north of Australia.</p><p>Southeast Asia consists of two geographic regions:</p><p><em>Mainland Southeast Asia</em>, also known historically as <strong>Indochina</strong>, comprising parts of Northeast India (Part of India east of Siliguri Corridor), Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and West Malaysia, and <em>Maritime Southeast Asia</em>, also known historically as <strong>Nusantara</strong>, the East Indies and Malay Archipelago, comprises the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, Indonesia, East Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Taiwan is also included in this grouping by many anthropologists. (<em>from Wikipedia</em>)</p><p>The amalgamation of different cultures has led to many similarities which have turned the Southeast Asian countries and the NorthEast of India into one big whole.</p><p>The South East Asian countries have much in common with North-Eastern part of India. In terms of culture and heritage, both have similarities and are connected due to their common practices and closeness with each other.</p><p>The greatest mirror reflection in terms of culture is the festivals celebrated in these regions, especially in the month of April. The festival of Bohag Bihu in Assam, <em>Pi Mai</em> in Lao PDR, <em>Songkran</em> in Thailand and <em>Sangkem</em> in Arunachal Pradesh marked the beginning of a New Year and hold similar importance.</p><p>Pi Mai in Lao PDR is celebrated with people throwing of water on each other with dances and songs, with the worship of Lord Buddha. <em>Sangkem</em> in Arunachal too follows the custom of throwing water at each other and also follows the worship of Lord Buddha.</p><p><em>Songkrem</em> in Thailand also signifies pouring of water by the younger people on elders hand as a sign of respect. They too worship Lord Buddha. Bohag Bihu in Assam marks the harvesting season of crops with dances and songs. Elders are paid respect by the youngsters by offering traditional scarves called ‘Gamusa’ and they seek their blessings.</p><p>Also, the language of the Tai people living in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has similarities with the language spoken in Thailand and Lao PDR. Tai – Ahoms or Ahoms are called 'Shan' in Myanmar, 'Thai' in Thailand, 'Lao' in Laos, 'Dai' and ''Zhuang' in China and 'Tay – Thai' in Vietnam. Chin Kuki Mizo community too has similarities with the Chinese. Some of the Naga and Manipuri people of North-East India too have some connection with South-East Asia and may have migrated from South East Asia.</p><p>In relation to the dance form, Balinese dance and Manipuri dance forms have similar gestures and they don’t have direct eye contact. Regarding the attires, the yellow color robes among the Tais in Yunann is similar to the Meitei grooms of Manipur which they wear a day after the wedding. There are similarities between the food habits too as the sticky rice commonly consumed by the tribes of northeast India is like the sticky brown rice found in Japan and China.</p><p>Apart from meat and fish, vegetables too are common in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and other South Asian countries. They all offer similar types of taste with a wide range of unique flavors and ingredients of fermented nature.</p><p>The markets in Myanmar are similar to the NorthEast where goods are stacked in the same way as the Northeast region and have similar products displayed. The Burmese dress is worn just the way it is in Northeast and street food and traditional food items also have similarities.</p><p>There are many common physical features in Art and Dance forms, social structure, eating habits, weaving motifs, hunting practices, and cultural practices between the South Asian Countries and Northeast India. Both regions share an intrinsic connection that dates back centuries. Apart from all these facts, Thailand is greatly indebted to India for spreading of Buddhism by a Buddhist monk sent by King Ashoka in 3rd century BC.</p><p>It was adopted as the state religion of Thailand. During this era, the Thais adopted Indian religious and cultural traditions. The Indians who moved into Thailand in the Sukhothai period (1275-1350) were either merchants or Brahmans who played an important role in the Siamese court. According to Thai people, the King is the reincarnation of the Hindu Deity Lord Vishnu from Indian traditions.</p><p>The dramas of Thailand are inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana. Thai language too is similar to Dravidian language. Several Thai ceremonies were adopted from Indian tradition. Astrology’s of India have a great Impact on the Thai People.</p><p>For many rituals, they seek advice from the Buddhist monks or Brahmans for auspicious days to conduct or hold those ceremonies. Thai people also make herbal medicines like the people of India. 98 % of the North-eastern states also share their borders with some of India’s South Asian neighbors such as China, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, etc.</p>

NorthEast India

Brothers beyond borders: Similarities between NorthEast India And South-East Asia

<p><h4>Imphal, July 5, 2019</h4></p><p>The 12th State Level Pineapple Festival cum Sellers and Buyers Meet and Youth Festival, 2019 organised by the Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) under the joint aegis of Eastern Border Area Development Authority (EBADA) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) has begun from Thursday at Yairipok Thambalnu Market in Imphal East district in Manipur.</p><p>Manipur Forest and Environment Minister, Th Shyamkumar Singh has been the chief guest of the event.</p><p>On the concluding day of the festival on July 7, there would be a special programme - Manipur Pineapple Queen Contest 2019.</p><p>Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest said that Manipur has been producing pineapples at about 10,000 tonnes per hectare which for itself speaks that the State is indeed the highest producer and exporter of the juicy fruits in the country. This high product has been possible thanks to the farmers and the cultivators who have been ‘confined’ to their land, labouring on the soil of the State for years with no proper market.</p><p>Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Legislative assembly, K Robindro presiding over the function said that the pineapples were the products of the farmers in and around the Ngarian hills in Imphal east. Imphal east is the highest producer of pineapples in the State, he added. The fair which witnessed over thousands of visitors from all over the State had to bring in the security forces to deal with the unexpected crowd and the traffic jam along the Imphal-Yairipok road, he added.</p><p>Principal Secretary Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, J.C Ramthanga said that the department is not only focusing on the plantation of the fruit but also the market for the farmers at the same time. He further said that the fruits have already been airlifted outside and the department is also concerned with increasing the production.</p><p>According to Amusana, a member of the organizing committee, over 240 pineapple growers of the surrounding area participated in the fair with each stall displaying pineapples ranging from 10,000 to 20,000.</p><p><h6><em>Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats. We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!</em></h6></p><p><h6><em>Keep following Inside Northeast on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. Download The Inside Northeast app from here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en for News, Views and Reviews from Northeast India. Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.</em></h6></p>

Pineapple Festival

Manipur Hosts The Pineapple Festival 2019

Assam

<p>Guwahati, February 27, 2018:</p><p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The 200-year-old Barechaharia Bhowna is organized in Jamugurihat of Assam in every five years. This time, the festival will begin from March 1.</p></p><p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The festival first was commenced in 1797-98 by Gayan Bora. Traditional music of Assam like ‘taal’, ‘khol’, ‘doba’, ‘bhortal’ etc is a part of the festival.</p></p><p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The festival started two centuries ago which livens up the small town of Jamugurihat. Commonly the festival is a dramatization of the epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas.</p></p><p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The endowed lord Mahapurush Sankardevas ‘raas’ creation was depicted by a saint called Vaishnavite with the beautiful contradiction of ‘raga’ and ‘tala’. The main idea of the saint was to unite the diverse society.</p></p><p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The cultural ideas can be a good boost for modern technology as it proves to be a good appraisal of rare cultural shows around the globe.</p></p>

Barechaharia Bhowna

BARECHAHARIA BHOWNA TO BE HELD FROM FIRST WEEK OF MARCH

<p>Former Deputy Chief Councillor of Itanagar Municipal Council Tarh Nachung inaugurated the Dree Food Festival at the Dree Ground, Papu Nallah in presence of the Capital Complex Dree Festival Celebration Committee members and others.</p><p>Organized as part of Dree festival celebration, the food festival will continue till July 5 that coincides with the celebration of the biggest agricultural festival of the Apatani community.</p><p>Altogether, 10 traditional food stalls were put up at the venue by various SHGs and entrepreneurs. Moreover, there are also few other exhibition stalls on traditional dresses and other handicrafts.</p><p>Speaking on the occasion, Nachung greeted the Apatani community people and wished them peace and prosperity in the year ahead. He also expressed his happiness on inaugurating the food festival. He later tasted the local foods of Apatani community.</p><p>Nachung said that maximum of the our tribal festivals like Nyokum, Mopin, Dree, etc are agriculture based and the respective communities pray their gods and goddesses for peace, prosperity of all as well as for bumper harvest.</p>

dree festival

ARUNACHAL PRADESH: DREE FOOD FESTIVAL INAUGURATED

<p><em>Call it a clan , call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family, whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one</em></p><p>– Jane Howard</p><p>SANTHAL TRIBE: HISTORY</p><p>The Santhal Tribe is the third largest tribes of India. This tribe habitation is found mostly in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odhisha and Jharkhand. Santhal's proved to be the great fighters during the British regime in India. A bantam bunch comprising of the Santhals can also be traced back to Bangladesh. Santhals are known for its bravery who fought courageously against the permanent of Lord Cornwallis in 1855.</p><p>In 1850, Sidhu the Santhal hero singlehandedly accumulated around ten thousand Santhals to rule parallel government against the British government. The first leader of the Santhal that raised weapons against the Britishers in 1789 was Baba Tilka Majhi. The Santhal tribe estimated population is forty nine thousand, and they worship lord Sarna basically known as Sari Dhorom.</p><p>SANTHAL'S ART OF LIVING: CULTURE</p><p>The Santhal is a distinct culture on their own as the people delightfully enjoys dancing, that keeps them happy. It's their main attraction form in their festivals. They belief that dancing gives relaxation to the minds after working a long tiring day. Santhal women dress up themselves in the red bordered white sari and dance in the line sequence. The Santhal tribe obtains some unique kinds of instrument such as Tirio made with bamboo flute with the seven holes, an Open chest known as korom, Phet Banam made of fret less stringed instrument with three or four strings. Moreover this tribe pays respect to the ghosts and spirits like Kal Sing, Lakchera and Beudarang.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5152" src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SANTHAL-PHOTO-1.jpg" alt="Santhal Tribe" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>SANTHAL'S LINE OF WORK : OCCUPATION</p><p>The work affair of the Santhal revolve around the forests in which they reside. Their basic needs gets fulfilled by the forest trees and plants. They keep themselves engaged in hunting, fishing and cultivation for their livelihood. Santhals acquire skills in making the musical equipment's, mats and baskets out of the plants. The tribe is mainly known for their unique qualities.</p><p>SANTHAL'S WAY OF CELEBRATION : FESTIVAL</p><p>Santhal mainly celebrate the Karam festival that comes in the month of September and October. They laud this festival to please the god to increase their wealth and free them from all the enemies. It is the tradition among the Santhals to grow the Karam tree outside their house after the purification process. Other festivals of the Santhal community include Maghe, Baba Bonga, Sahrai, Ero, Asaria and Namah. They also celebrate hunting festival know as Dishum Sendra on the eve of Baisakhi Purnima.</p>

SANTHAL : A TRIBE LESS KNOWN

<p><div dir="ltr"></p><p><h4 dir="ltr">Guwahati, November 14, 2018:</h4></p><p><div dir="ltr">The four days unique International Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 kick started from Wednesday with several cultural events at Shillong.</div></p><p><div dir="ltr"></p><p>Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the festival at Polo 5th Ground. The Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu will be leading a Japanese delegation that will engage in a dialogue at the State Convention Centre, entitled ‘Celebrating the Shillong-Sakura Connect- Idea Exchange on Socio Economic Partnerships’. This is being organised by the Government of Meghalaya, FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians and the Embassy of Japan in India.</div></p><p><div dir="ltr"></p><p>The celebration continues to promote the socio-economic flourishing of Northeastern India like fashion shows, rock concerts, beauty pageant and amateur golf tournament inviting more tourists. Along with this, stalls showcasing the region’s food, wine, crafts and several Japanese cultural events have also been set up.</div></p><p></div></p>

Cherry Blossom

International Cherry Blossom Festival begins in Shillong

<p><h4 style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Guwahati, February 7, 2019:</span></h4></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;"> </span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">President of India Ramnath Kovind conferred the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi’ awards to 42 artistes in five categories for the year 2017 yesterday. Flutist Rajendra Prasanna, Odissi dancer Sujata Mohapatra, and Kathak dancer Shobha Koser were among the artists honored during the occasion. </span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: .25pt; background: white;">Forty-two artists from the fields including music, dance, theatre, traditional, folk, and tribal music were awarded. </span><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">It is to be mentioned that the West Bengal folk music form, Baul, made it to the awards for the first time.</span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Northeast India, which is known for its distinct art, music, and culture also made a mark at the award this time around.</span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">In the dance category, Ramkrishna Talukdar (Sattriya) and L.N. Oinam Ongbi Dhoni Devi (Manipuri dance) were selected for the prestigious award along with nine other artists.</span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">In theatre, Shougrakpam Hemanta Singh from Manipur, a practitioner of Shumung Leela, was selected in the Other Major Traditions of Theatre category. Nuruddin Ahmed from Assam was also awarded in the Theatre (Allied Theatre Arts – Stagecraft) category.</span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Jagganath Bhuyan from Assam and K.C. Runremsangi have been selected in the Folk music category.</span></p></p><p><p style="text-align: justify; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0cm 0cm 4.6pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #1c1c1c;">Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (India’s national academy of dance, music, and drama), is the highest honor that conferred by the Government on practicing artists. A sum of Rs. 1 lakh, along with a Tangapatra and Angavastram is also presented to the awardees.</span></p></p>

Sangeet Natak Akademi

Northeast shines in Sangeet Natak Akademi awards

<p><h4>Guwahati, March 22, 2019:</h4></p><p>While Holi is played with colours in the rest of India, it is also sung in the state of Assam.</p><p>The festival of colours has a different meaning in this part of the country. Holi is known as ‘Fakowa’ in Assam and is celebrated in the month of Phagun.</p><p>Here people follow the satriya customs and traditions set by Mahapurush Madhabdeb. In Assam, Barpeta and Bordowa are the two places that witness a huge influx of tourists from across the state and abroad.</p><p>The people along with playing with Aabir (powdered Holi colours) sing ‘Holigeet’, which are believed to be the compositions of Lord Krisha to welcome the spring season. This is why it is said that Holi is sung in Assam.</p><p>It is believed that that the Holi brings unity and brotherhood among people and it is also believed that the use of ‘Aabir’ keeps us away from many diseases like smallpox, etc. as Phagun brings dryness and many dust related diseases in the dry season.</p><p>Apart from Barpeta and Bordowa, the festival is celebrated in the entire state with traditional fervour. In Guwahati’s Fancybazar, people of all age group despite caste, creed and religion enjoy the festival with unity.</p><p>The two-day festival will end today.</p>

Holi

Holi, sung by the people of Assam, played in rest of the country

<p>5 July 2018:</p><p>Governor Brig (Retd) Dr BD Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu have extended their heartiest greetings to each and every citizen of the State on the occasion of Dree, the annual agriculture based festival of the Apatani community.</p><p>The Governor said that Dree Festival is the traditional identity of the Apatani tribe, which they have proudly and conscientiously preserved since time immemorial. Celebration of the indigenous festivals helps the preservation, development and transition of the ancestral values and ethnic identity to future generations. Continued observance of these festivals is closely connected with the beliefs, rites, social acceptances and peace promoting practices. It, therefore, devolves on us, the people of the State, to stay informed and involved in protecting our culture and heritage through these festive celebrations, he added.</p><p>The CM also mentioned in his message- “Ours is a distinct state with several tribes and communities residing side by side for ages and maintaining their own unique indigenous culture and traditions. Despite our varied diversity, we as Arunachalees are united and take pride in our indigenous cultural heritage. This cultural mosaic has to be maintained, preserved and propagated at all costs while keeping intact our unity in diversity”.</p>

ARUNACHAL PRADESH: GUV, CM EXTENDED FREE GREETINGS

<p>6 July 2018:</p><p>Dree, the annual agriculture based festival of the Apatani community of Arunachal Pradesh, was on Thursday celebrated across the State, including Ziro plateau, with much pomp and gaiety.</p><p>Notwithstanding heavy rains, huge numbers of festival revellers, including males and females, young and the old alike in their best traditional attires thronged the Dree ground at Papu Nallah near Itanagar to celebrate their most popular festival. Greeting all a happy Dree on the occasion, the chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein commended the Apatani community for jealously up keeping their cultural identity that was handed down by their forefathers through ages.</p><p>He said that because of their efforts in keeping their traditions and culture alive, Ziro Valley is known all over the world today and many tourists from across the globe come to see the valley. The Deputy Chief Minister further assured that the State Govt will give every support to enable the Apatani cultural landscape in Ziro Valley to be declared as one of the World Heritage Sites.</p><p>Hailing Arunachal Pradesh as a hot-bed for research scholars due to its rich, diverse culture and traditions, he said the State Government has kept budgetary provisions for research and documentation of the unique tribal culture &amp; traditions.</p><p>Making a mention of present period of technology and innovations, he called upon the youths to use the technology to their advantage in more positive way. He urged them to shun the negativity and instead make use of internet like YouTube and social media for promotion and publicity of our unique cultures, scenic beauties and beautiful landscape to the outside world which would give fillip to tourists flow in the State.</p><p>Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, who was the special guest on the occasion, praised the Apatani community for contributing immensely towards the progress of the State. Further appreciating the ‘hardworking’ Apatanis’ agricultural practices including paddy cum fish culture, and their cultural advancements, etc, the former CM said the community has contributed vastly towards human resource development in the State.</p><p>Citing the joint peace accord inked by Tanw Supun Dukun (the apex council of Apatanis) and Nyishi Elite Society (the apex body of the Nyishi community) three years back, Tuki said it has emboldened the sense of fraternity, cultural affinity between the two tribes towards maintaining peace and communal harmony.</p><p>Advocating preservation and promotion of cultural traditions, Tuki also had the words of advice for the youths asking them to stick to their culture and traditions and learn more about their cultural roots from their elders otherwise they will fade into oblivion.</p><p>Chief patron of the festival committee cum Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso also addressed the gathering.</p><p>Major highlights of the celebration were presentation of Dree mythology in the form of a drama by artists, performances of ‘Pree’ dance, multi-tribe dance (depicting pan Arunachal identity) and the most popular folk dance ‘Daminda’</p>

dree

ARUNACHAL PRADESH: APATANIS CELEBRATE DREE FESTIVAL WITH GAIETY

<p>Guwahati, November 1, 2018:</p><p>The Kuki Communities of Guwahati and adjoining areas on Thursday Celebrated the 18th Chavang Kut Festival at Srimanta Kalakshetra in Guwahati.</p><p>The event  included colourful traditional dance in their traditional attires which was magnificiently displayed by all.</p><p>It may be mentioned here that the Kukis are spread over the North eastern states of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur having their own customs and traditions.</p><p>The Chavang Kut is the main festival of the Chin- Kuki tribes which show case the the fulfillment of rich harvest after prolong labour. The same event is celebrated all across Kuki dominated places of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam.</p>

Kuki Communities

Kuki communities celebrates 18th Chavang Kut Festival

Entertainment

<p><h4>Guwahati, March 10, 2019:</h4></p><p>Today, Assamese cinema has completed 84 years of existence as it was on this day (10th March) that Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s ‘Joymoti’, the first Assamese film, was released in Calcutta.</p><p>The film was based on Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s play about the 17th-century Ahom princess Joymoti, the film was produced and directed by the noted Assamese poet, author, and film-maker Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, and starred Aideu Handique and acclaimed stage actor and playwright Phani Sharma. The film, shot between 1933 and 1935, was released by Chitralekha Movietone in 1935 and marked the beginning of Assamese Cinema.</p><p>In 1926, Agarwala went to England for higher studies in humanities. But a creative mind like his could not confine itself within the four walls of the classroom for long. He went to Germany and received formal training in production and direction of films in the famous Universal Filmen Akitien Gerehalft Studio.</p><p>After coming back to the homeland, he got involved in the freedom movement. He wrote the screenplay of "Joymoti" while in Silchar jail.</p>

Joymoti

Assamese Cinema completes 84 glorious years of existence

<p><h4>Guwahati May 7,2019</h4></p><p>It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. Ramzan is observed by the Muslims community worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic belief.<p><iframe allow="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360"  width="640" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/05LtvZYnJfk" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></p><p>Due to high demand, the markets are flooded with special items like Sevain, dates, sweets, and fresh fruits.</p><p>These traditional sweets are not that cheap either as sevain costs around Rs 180-200/kg and delectable dates cost around Rs 100/kg. The buzzing Ramzan markets in Fancy Bazar locality of Guwahati are full of ingredients used to make the sumptuous delicacy 'biryani, which is traditionally associated with Muslim culture.</p><p>The number of customers who purchase these items is increasing every year, a local shopkeeper told Inside Northeast.</p><p>At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as 'iftar'. Dates are usually the first food to break the fast as according to legend, Muhammad broke fast with three dates.</p><p>Following that, Muslims generally adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers after which the main meal is served.</p><p>The grand old festival 'Eid-ul-Fitr' marks the end of Ramzan. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days.</p>

'Ramzan' on in full swing, markets full of delicacies

<p><h4>Guwahati May 10, 2019:</h4></p><p>The students of the Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University are organizing a day-long event “Lokoranggam” on Saturday at BKB Hall in the university.</p><p>The event will comprise of a student conclave, followed by a puppet show and a “Bhaona”. The conclave is scheduled to start at 11 am and is likely to be attended by about 1000 students from across the region.</p><p>Department Representative of Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, Palash Jyoti Bora, said that the event Lokoranggam will provide a platform to discuss regionalism, media, and youth in Gauhati University as well as in Assam. The department is hopeful that this kind of rational debate which is first of its kind will give a new dimension and pave a way towards positivity.</p><p>Lokoranggam will also give fresh insight into the traditional art media of Assam.</p><p>Coordinator of the conclave, Subrat Dutta said that the student conclave will discuss current socio-economic and political issues from the perspective of different student bodies and the conclave will give the students the opportunity to express their opinion on such pertinent issues. It will be moderated by Senior Journalist Mrinal Talukdar. The theme of the conclave is media, youth, and regionalism</p><p>One of the highlights of the event will be a performance of the traditional “Bhaona”. The Bhaona- Rukmini Haran has been directed and will be performed by the students of the Department. It will be staged at the Birinchi Kumar Barua (BKB) Hall at 7 pm.</p><p>Jhunakangkon Bhuyan director of the Bhaona said that the students are going to perform “Ankiya Bhaona- Rukmini Haran”. Last year the students performed “Ram Bijoya” and the main aim is to spread the traditional art form as a tool to enhance development communication. It also portrays the Assamese society and the fundamentals we were taught since childhood.</p><p>Coordinator of Putola Nach, Monaliza Goswami, informed that the students of the department will present an authentic puppetry performance exclusively during the event. With an emphasis on preserving the traditional art form, the Putola Nach will showcase how people are easily influenced and manipulated by fake news and misinformation? How the people are convinced to believe the given opinion or information without a verified source? The Putola Nach will also focus on awareness regarding road safety. To create popularity among the audience about the art form is the main motive.</p><p>The Head of the Department, Dr. Ankuran Dutta, said, that this event has different kinds of taste with a broad spectrum. The department is trying to carry the folk culture to the larger audience. The main objective of the “Putola Nach” and the “Bhaona” is to communicate with the common people and disseminate information about developmental schemes. The discussion will also be unique as different representatives of student bodies will share their views on the same dais.</p>

Lokoranggam

Lokoranggam ' Experiment on traditional art form' at Guwahati University

<p><h4>Agartala, June 30, 2019:</h4></p><p>The state of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharchi_puja">Tripura</a> is all set to welcome the visitors from across the globe as it has organized the Kharchi Puja also called the Kharchi festival from July 10.</p><p>Kharchi Puja is an important festival celebrated in the Indian state of Tripura. The festival lasts for seven days during which 14 gods are worshipped at the Chaturdasha temple near Old Agartala. The royal Puja falls in the month of July on the eighth day of the new moon and attracts thousands of devotees.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34428" src="https://insidene.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kduhjvi.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>The 14 deities are known as the Chaturdasha Devata and are Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Earth, Ganga, Agni, Kama, Himavan and Varuna.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34430" src="https://insidene.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kjcuky.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>On Kharchi Puja, the gods are taken out from the temple and carried to be washed in the holy water of river Saidra then taken back to the temple. The deities are then decorated with various flowers and vermillion is placed on each deity's forehead.</p><p>Kharchi is derived from ‘khya’ which means ‘earth’. Kharchi Puja is performed after 15 days of Ambubachi. The festival marks the cleansing of “Ama Pechi” (Ambubachi, the menstruation of the mother goddess, or earth mother) which is the female cycle of the earth goddess. During the festival, no ploughing, furrowing or tending to the soil is done to give it time to cleanse.</p><p>The Kharchi puja is performed to wash out the post-menstrual uncleanliness of the earth mother's menstruation.</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/www.tripuratourism.gov.in/videos/pcb.1214041955470587/1007401672983958/?type=3&amp;theater</p><p>People offer different types of prasad like a goat, buffalo, sweets, etc.. Various cultural programmes are performed each evening and a large fair is organized to mark the occasion. People look to their own welfare as well as the welfare of the society and the state in general.</p><p><h6><em>Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats. We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!</em></h6></p><p><h6><em>Keep following Inside Northeast on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. Download The Inside Northeast app from here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en for News, Views and Reviews from Northeast India. Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.</em></h6></p>

Kharchi Puja

Tripura’s Biggest Festival 'Kharchi Puja' To Commence From July 10

<p><h4>Guwahati, July 16, 2019:</h4></p><p>This year Kuldeep Patgiri, a research scholar from Gauhati University has been awarded the pretigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award for his contributions in the field of Mime.</p><p>Kuldeep Patgiri, who is a student of renowned artist Mainul Haque, has also received the 'Young Talent Artist Award 2016' of North East Zonal Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture and Young Artist scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.</p><p>The young mime artist is also a recognized Judge of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi for theatre event.</p><p>The 1987-born artist has performed mime in various national and International events and has received many prestigious awards for his performances.</p><p>Recently, Patgiri received the 'Silpojyoti award' and 'Pathsala Rongali Bihu award' for his outstanding contributions in the field of mime and culture.</p><p>Patgiri has been shouldering responsibility in directing Gauhati University Mime Group since 2008. Patgiri is also the founder-director of 'Assam Mime and Skit Theater' and an artist of the Mime Academy, having participated in different international and national festivals in South Asian Countries.</p><p>It may be mentioned that the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (Akademi Award) is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to outstanding artists who have demonstrated talent in the fields of music, dance and drama.</p><p>Every year, 32 artists are selected for this award. Award winners receive a prize of Rs 25000 (US$350) from the chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi.</p><p><em>Inside Northeast’s Campaign <strong>#LetsSaveDeeporBeel</strong> is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats (A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention). We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the <strong>#LetsSaveDeeporBeel</strong> campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!</em></p><p><div class="code-block code-block-1"></p><p><em>Download:</em></p><p><em>The Inside Northeast app <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a> for News, Views and Reviews from Northeast India.</em></p><p><em>Do <a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a> for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.</em></p><p></div></p>

Kuldeep Patgiri

Assam: Mime Artist Kuldeep Patgiri Awarded with 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar'

<p><h4>Guwahati,December 15,2018:</h4></p><p>‘Ha-Imu’ a feature film Produced by B.K Film Productions in collaboration with cultural affairs Department, KAAC, had its premiere show yesterday. Rupsing Teron, Executive Member in charge of Art &amp; Culture and Affairs attended the show as a chief guest.</p><p>Alongside him, Chandrasing Kro (KCS President), Mongalsing Rongpi (Vice President KFS; former EM KAAC General Secretary Karbi Cultural Society), Dhaneswar Ingti (retired KAAC Secretary), Hemari Tokbi (Dy.Director Art &amp; Culture), Sing Kro (KLA Adviser) and various dignitaries attended the show today at Rangsina Sarpo Auditorium Hall, Diphu.</p>

Feature

Karbi Feature Film has Grand Premiere

<p><h4>Guwahati, January 15, 2019:</h4></p><p>Amid the threat to the jati, Assamese people partook in <a href="https://insidene.com/2019/01/14/thousands-throng-early-morning-markets-uruka/">Bhogali Bihu celebrations.</a>  Popularly known as the Bihu of feasting, this Bihu is celebrated by setting the <em>bhelaghars</em> or <em>Meji</em> on fire early in the morning after feasting in them the night before.</p><p>People from all walks of life irrespective of caste, religion or language celebrate the harvest festival across Assam. The festival features some of the traditional dishes of Assam like pithas and laddoos which are prepared with coconut, rice, sesame seeds etc.</p><p>Let us take a look back at the changing colors of Bihu through the years:</p><p>As time has passed by, Bhogali Bihu has found new flavours. As we grew up, new scenes of Bhogali Bihu could be witnessed. In the not-too-distant past, Bihu wishes were different as people used to personally visit their near and dear ones, but in today’s digital era, people mainly exchange their wishes over WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms</p><p>In the past, Assamese people used to exclusively prepare rice cakes, pithas and laddoos in their houses itself. But now, due to the busy schedules of people, the tradition is gradually declining. Rising tradition of buying the indigenous Assamese food items from local Bihu fairs, especially in urban centres like Guwahati, has emerged. It may be mentioned that the ladoo-pitha market this year was worth a whopping 45 crores. But despite declining traditions, rural Assamese are still sticking to their roots and this year we saw the construction of many innovative designs of <em>bhelaghars</em>.</p><p>Earlier, people used to observe Bihu as part of a community. But nowadays, people are isolated as rising costs and trends of materialism have emerged along with the rise in number of nuclear families and people mostly celebrate Bihu with immediate relatives.</p><p><a href="https://insidene.com/2019/01/13/bhogali-bihu-fever-grips-assam-amid-cab-row/">The pre-Bhogali festivities</a> find their best expression in the markets as people look for the best food materials, especially fish, meat, milk, curd, cream, chira, pithas, laddoos etc. The markets are flooded with different varieties of fish, meat and other food stuffs. With a look around in the markets, the shopkeepers can be with happy faces after the huge crowd that comes for Bihu shopping fills their purses with heavy cash.</p><p>But beyond these changes even this year the people of Assam celebrated the indigenous Bhogali Bihu amid all the protests against the Citizenship Bill.</p><p>Characterized by merry making and feasting, this festival marks the end of the harvesting season when there is abundance of everything. This is the time when the hard-working agricultural folk of the state sit down to reap the benefits of their hard labor. However, it must be pointed out that the Magh Bihu festival is not limited to the agricultural pockets of the state. Right from the smallest of villages to the big towns and cities of Assam, people celebrate this festival with great joy and gusto, though it must be mentioned that the mode of celebration differs from the villages to the cities.</p><p>Now, let us highlight some of the high-profile Bihu celebrations of Assam:</p><p>Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal celebrates Magh Bihu at his residence in Dibrugarh:</p><p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/sarbanandsonwal/status/1085062147690835968">&nbsp;</a></p></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi celebrates with his party leaders at Manabendra Complex, Guwahati:</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside/videos/410175276387513/</p><p>Celebrations at Gohpur:</p><p>https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside/videos/979462902263357/</p><p>Avijeet Baruah, nephew of martyar Kanaklata Baruah celebrates the Bhogali Bihu with all other villagers of Baligoan, Borigoan.</p>

Bihu celebrations

Political rivals Sonowal and Gogoi embrace Tradition amid changing trends of Bihu celebrations in the state

<p><h4>Guwahati, January 17, 2019:</h4></p><p>The latest edition of the Joon Beel Mela, which has the distinction of being India’s only cashless fair for 500 years, has begun in Assam’s Morigaon district. The <em>mela</em> started today with the age-old custom of <em>Agni puja</em>.</p><p>The three-day fair is organised by the Tiwa king Gobha Deep Singh and has graced the Dayang Belguri at Joon Beel this year too. The indigenous tribal people that come down from the hills of Assam like West Karbi Anglong, Meghalaya and Jaintia have already been preparing for the barter that will start from the early morning hours on the second day of the fair.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21567" src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ijg.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>It is said to be a hi-tech age barter system and perhaps the only fair in India where barter system is still alive. The second day of the  Joon Beel <em>mela</em> will start with the tradition of the community fishing at the Joon Beel.</p><p>Starting in the late 15th century AD, this fair was first organised by the Tiwa rulers to discuss the prevailing political situations of the day. In ancient times, the <em>mela</em> would start with a community feast which the king enjoyed with his subjects at the banks of the Joon Beel, a crescent shaped water body located near the fair grounds.</p><p>Today, on the first day of this year’s fair, Team InsideNE witnessed many families of the tribal communities who had come down from the hills and were seen preparing small shelters to stay overnight. The people prepared their traditional food items by making small ‘<em>choukas</em>’(a mud made stove).<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21568" src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rrttry5ty.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>People from the hills brought spices, herbs, ginger, and fruits to exchange them for rice, fish, rice cakes (<em>pithas</em>) that cannot be grown in the hills. Some 10,000 tribal villagers come down to the plains of the beautiful valleys and exchanged their wares.</p><p>The traditional and the old weapons of the Tiwa rulers are being displayed at the <em>mela</em>. <em>Hiloi</em>, <em>Bortup</em>, <em>Bonduk</em>, Pistol, <em>Bakhor</em>, Sword, handcuffs of both male and female, the frame of <em>dola</em>, and<em> command</em> are some of the weapons being showcased at the <em>mela</em>.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21566" src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/hy.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p><p>Stalls were put up with the traditional Tiwa costumes. The stalls showcased the traditional Tiwa <em>mekhla</em>, <em>nara</em>, and mufflers that cost around three to six thousand rupees.</p><p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21569" src="https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/lingo/itne/images/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fhjtiu.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="365" /></p>

Joon Beel Mela

Joonbeel Mela, the fair with no currency, continues legacy

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