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Participants at the second edition of ‘Art Picnic’ on Thursday at Rajbari Dimapur.[/caption]
Dimapur, Dec. 29: Kachari ruins popularly known as ‘Rajbari’ located adjacent to Circuit House in Dimapur reverberated with life on Thursday as art lovers as young as three years old congregated at the site to participate for the second edition of ‘Art Picnic.’
It was an eventful day as art practitioners in the field of music, craft and poetry made their way to the ancient Kachari monuments with their painting kits, guitar strapped on their shoulder and representing true picnic spirit with lunch boxes settled themselves at the site. The usually forlorn ‘Rajbari’ was filled with activities.
Temsuyanger Longkumer, a London based Naga artist who is also the brainchild behind ‘Art Picnic,’ said the reason behind organising the second edition of ‘Art Picnic’ at Dimapur’s ancient Kachari monument was to make people conscious of the historical place ‘Rajbari’ which is the most important architectural structure of the State.
Longkumer lamented the ancient monolith became a dumping ground and lay in a sad state. By organising such event at a historical place, Longkumer was optimistic that it will introduce the site to people new to the place.
The reason behind organising such ‘Art Picnic’ event in the State was to connect people through art. Longkumer contemplates to make it an annual event not just in Kohima and Dimapur district but reach out to other towns and districts.
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Temsuyanger Longkumer, the brainchild behind ‘Art Picnic,’ speaking to media persons.[/caption]
“Nagaland is behind other states in conventional art but rich in traditional art but one has to be careful promoting one’s culture lest the endorsement will have a negative impact,” says Longkumer.
Hornbill is a good event to promote tourism and culture but there should be balance on what to promote and how to promote, pointed out the artist. He also shared hi plans to open a trust in the name ‘Hive Art Trust’ in future which will look for promoting and preserving Naga culture.
