IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 28: Manipiur Governor Dr Najma A Heptulla on Wednesday said North East India has the locational advantage with Myanmar which is the point of convergence as well as the linkage route between India and the other South East Asian countries since they are connected by land routes since ancient times.
The cultural bond of between NE India and Myanmar extends in the fields of music and literature such as the similarities of music instruments and the influence of Indian epics like the Ramayana which has various versions in the South East Asian countries, Governor said.
Another common feature is the use of Red colour to symbolize bravery and also the frequent use of black as back ground or in combination with other colours, the textiles found on both sides have intricate designs of human and animal figures, she added.
Governor was speaking during the inaugural function of International Conference on North East India and Cultural Linkages at Manipur University.
Governor also appreciated the objective of the conference which is expected to broadly strengthen the magnificent cultural relation based on deep rooted cultural, religious and neighborhood association between India and Myanmar and the common heritage of Buddhism and the philosophy of compassion, tolerance, non-violence and peace.
She added Myanmar played a significant role in spreading Indian culture, trade, commerce, philosophy, customs, religious practices and belief systems through land to South East Asian Countries and records have shown that some of the ethnic groups had migrated from Myanmar , Mongolia, Tibet, China, Laos Cambodia and Thailand , they are still maintaining languages, traditions, arts, crafts life styles as well as traditional religious practices.
The chief guest further said that , the Conference will look into the different aspects of the NE cultural traditions and their evolution through time and come up with ideas to keep pace with the changing environment, believe that cultural relations run deeper than relations among the peoples as there were no strict concepts of geographical frontiers in the ancient times and further, the Conference will bring out the best ethnic and cultural relations between NE India and Myanmar and also encourage that Mahabharat be discuss in the Conference, so that the missing link between the two countries can be found.
The inaugural function was attended by Prof Sachchinand Joshi, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi as the guest of honour, Prof M Dhaneshwar Singh, Acting VC ,Manipur University as President and Prof JN Phukan ,Former Member, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi as Keynote Speaker and Prof N Lokendra Singh and Prof Dr Bachchan Kumar, IGNCA, New Delhi as Conference Coordinators, apart from state and foreign dignitaries.
