It is my pleasure to write the foreword for the book, Call of the North East. The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre has four North Eastern states as its member states. A complete compilation of the dance forms of the North East required us to include the other North Eastern states as well. The EZCC has earlier documented the Dances of Eastern India, which was well received. There is no comprehensive documentation of the dances of the North East. We have presented the compilation in a coffee table book format, so that more people flip through the pages and experience the cultural diversity and richness of the dance forms of the eight sisters of the North East. All through the year, the EZCC through its North East fund allocation, presents colourful programmes from the North East in its different member states. The rich tapestry of the art, craft, music, food and costumes of the North East is presented in these programmes, which introduces the people of the other states to this lesser known Paradise on Earth. The Octave Festivals (Celebrations of the North East) organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, since 2006, have also been an excellent vehicle for the promotion of the art and culture of the North East.
We have tried to limit the book to the major dance forms of each of the eight states. The book does not claim to be an all-comprehensive compilation. The aim is to bring into focus the distinct cultures and traditions of the numerous communities that inhabit this region. We hope that the book will be useful to dancers and scholars working on the performing arts of the North East, as well as to the people interested in the performing arts. If we can create an awareness about this fascinating region of our country, among all Indians, our purpose will be served.
North East India the land of spectacular sunrises and sunsets the region of our country that is greeted first by the sun each day. This is a land gifted with Nature's bounty lush green valleys, meandering streams, lofty mountains, deep gorges tumultuous rivers and a rich variety of flora and fauna. The magical beauty and enchanting diversity of the North East is reflected in the mystic and mesmerizing art forms of the region an extremely wide range of dance, music, theatre, handicrafts and handlooms. The octagonal formation of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura has its own distinct cultures, traditions, fairs, festivals and numerous colourful celebrations which reflect their lifestyles. Demographically, culturally and linguistically, the North East is a perfect example of a beautiful amalgamation of co-existing cultures. The warm and hospitable.
people welcome you into their homes, where celebration of life is an everyday affair. If each of the eight sisters has a different cultural bouquet to offer, sartorially too, the charm of each of the states of North East is stunning in its uniqueness. The textures are timeless, weaving together the acumen of generations, the drapes are striking in their traditional simplicity and the colours are as vibrant as the landscapes they are born out of I have had the opportunity to interact very closely with performing artistes from the North East, while being a part of the different Festivals of the North East over the last five years. These festivals have given me an opportunity to get to know our cousins from the magical North Eastern States. Festivals like the Octave organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is also a time for the performers from the eight sister states to interact among themselves. As they spend time with each other and us, the barriers of language and cultural differences melt away and they share with their new friends, their joys, hopes, dreams and aspirations. I have enjoyed my long association with the friendly people of the North East and learnt from them much about the splendid and harmonised aesthetics of the region.
India's unity in diversity is seen most vividly in the North East. The region is an extraordinary anthropological amphitheatre housing more than three hundred communities, speaking different languages and dialects. Yet, barriers in verbal communication do not prevent the people from interacting with and enjoying each others' company and sharing experiences. Music unites us - music has no language, for in it soul speaks to soul. The shy Reang girls from Tripura try on the costume of the snow lion from Sikkim, as the Sikkimese dancers look on fondly. The drummers from Manipur and Assam experiment with different fusion beats, which make the girls from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh break into an impromptu dance. The tinkling laughter of the beautiful Mizo girls can be heard as they teach their new friends from the other North Eastern states the skills of the Cheraw Dance. The elderly drummer from Nagaland, shares his thoughts with us, through his daughter, a dancer in the troupe and also his interpreter. As we join in the fun and frolic, our young cousins teach us that happiness lies not in plenitude but in being at peace with oneself, living in harmony with Nature and accepting life as it comes.
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