Dimapur, March 14 (EMN): Shilpgram Mahotsav 2020, a national-level folk dance, music, craft and traditional cuisine festival is underway at the Shilpgram, Panjabari in Guwahati.
The festival is being organised by the North East Zone Clutural Centre (NEZCC) in commemoration of its 14th year’s foundation of NEZCC Shilpgram (Craft village).
Renowned folk singer from Assam, Dhanada Pathak inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamp on March 13, in presence of government officials and dignitaries, a press release from the organisers informed.
The inaugural function was marked by choreographic folk dance called “Ek Bharat Shresh Bharat,” comprising of Paika dance of Jharkhand from EZCC, Kolkata, Rouf dance of Srinagar (J&K) from NZCC, Patiala, Dandiya dance of Gujarat from WZCC, Udaipur, Pai-Danda dance of Uttar Pradesh from NCZCC, Allahabad, Lizim/Lavani dance of Maharashtra from SCZCC, Nagpur, Rikhampada dance of Nishi tribe from Arunachal Pradesh, Bihu Naach of Assam from Dhemaji, Pong Chollom, Thang-Ta and stick dances of Manipur from Nat Sangeet Ashram, Imphal; Wangala dance of Garo from Meghalaya, Cheraw dance from Mizoram, Lheto Shela Peta dance of Chakesang tribe from Nagaland, Tasosa Tyangri Naapka dance of Lepcha from Sikkim, and Hozagiri dance of Reang from Tripura.
The dance was choreographed by Dr. Prashanna Gogoi, an rthnomusicologist and choreographer from Guwahati.
Besides, art and crafts exhibition, traditional cuisine and beverages of the north-eastern states are major attraction at the venue.
Altogether 193 folk artistes and 12 artisans are participating in the three-day event. The closing ceremony of the festival will be held on March 15, with Governor of Nagaland R N Ravi, who is the chairman of the NEZCC as the chief guest and Padmashree awardee Nrityacharjya, renowned film and theatre personalities Jatin Goswami and Purnima Pathak Saikia as guests of honour.
