IMPHAL, Feb 11: The Department of Art & Culture, Government of Manipur as a member of North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur (NEZCC) has decided to jointly organize the “Folk Dance Yatra-Celebration of Zonal Cultural Centre” on February 13 at Bhagayachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Palace Compound in Imphal.
Addressing a press conference at the Directorate of Art & Culture, Palace Compound, Som Kamei, Director, NEZCC said that on completion of its existence for 25 years, the Zonal Cultural Centre in India, including the NEZCC have started a year-long silver jubilee celebration which was inaugurated by Dr Manmohon Singh, Prime Minister of India in the august presence of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the chief guest on April 13, 2012 at Panchkula, Chandigarh.
Manipur will host the programme under the theme “Culture for Peace,” he said.
In continuation of the celebration by the Ministry of Culture, the NEZCC has been organizing a chain (yatra) where folk and tribal cultures are focused, in three-four different places of all the member states starting from Meghalaya, he said.
Different nine communities in Manipur like the Tangkhul, Maram, Tarao, Monsang, Maring, Kom, Kabui, Thadou and Meitei consisting of 15 members each are jointly making an effort to translate the theme into action / performance, he said.
The organisers have felt the need of bringing peace among the peoples of NE states, he said, adding it also felt that organizing a one-day performance/show will not serve the purpose and hence different communities of Manipur are invited and gather under one umbrella for five consecutive days— living, eating together and sharing ideas to create through culture under the creative guidance of W Lokendrajit Singh, choreographer with two assistants.
The year-long silver jubilee celebration of NEZCC will be wrapped up by Sonia Gandhi at the NEZCC headquarter, Dimapur, he further informed.
Dr K Sobita, Director, Department of Art & Culture, Manipur, who was also spoke at the press conference, thanked on behalf of the department to get a chance to host the silver jubilee celebration of NEZCC by Manipur.
She assured the department would include the programme as a yearly event in its annual plan programme.
As part of the Folk Dance Yatra-Celebration of Silver Jubilee of Zonal Cultural Centre, 150 artists from the nine communities presented a 60-minute dance of single-rhythm as a rehearsal at BOAT.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/folk-dance-yatra-celebration/