[dropcap]V[/dropcap]isual art as a medium of expression is most versatile to convey messages on issues relevant to the society and the Nagaland Arts Society wishing to create better awareness for our environment through
art chose the theme ‘Gifts of Nature’ to showcase a collection of paintings and also to organize a students’ painting competition on the same theme. The state of Nagaland is endowed with a wonderful treasure of natural wealth and beauties. The greatest loss we face today in seen in the rampant depletion of our forests, flora and fauna which comes either from ignorance or from greed. What is felt important for every individual or group is to educate and inspire those around us to be able to see the wonderful gifts of nature bestowed on us by God the creator without our asking Depletion of nature is a threat to our life itself that we need to learn to love it and protect it for our posterity in every possible way. The ‘gifts of nature’ painting competition is intended to inspire our children to be better aware of
the wonderful nature around us by way of depicting our trees, flora and fauna through art which will also help others to see the gifts of nature in a new light and learn to love it more as our irreplaceableabode. Our greatest potential for tourism also lies in our gifts of nature. In fact, preservation and conservation of our culture and our nature are the key words for promotion of tourism in our state. We
hope and believe this initiative will take root and continue to grow through the years to come.
Artists are instrumental to show the goodness of God and his wonderful creations. People who once viewed skyscrapers and machineries as symbols of advancement are today looking for a closer touch with nature to keep themselves happier and healthier. The world of nature affirms and declares the wonderful plan of a loving Creator. Art is a reminder of the beauties of nature around us.
It may be added that Looking through the traditional woodcarving motifs of Nagaland Woodcarving is a traditional art form which are so widely practiced by the Naga tribes for various purposes. In earlier
days, it was a specialized job of the male folk who used simple tools and implements such as dao, axe and adze to create great works of art to adorn village gates, house fronts and pillars as well as objects of
utility like the common wooden platter. Every man was then expected to master the art of woodcarving to be able to create wooden objects of utility for his house. Striking Specimen of woodcarvings from the past can still be seen in many villages even today though the art is no longer practiced as in the past.
The huge door of a Village Gate is made from the trunk of a single tree on which art motifs reflecting the unique tribal culture and ethos of the Nagas are beautifully carved. Prominent motifs invariably
carved on the village gate are the mithun head, warriors, human heads, moon etc. Elaborate ceremonies and rituals are observed in the selection and carving of the door. The Village Gate is both
symbolically and functionally important. The wooden door normally measures about 5’ by 9’.
The Log Drum is another striking specimen of Naga woodwork prominently displayed in many Naga villages. It is carved out of a huge log slit along on one side and partially hollowed. These drums have an average length of 30 feet with a girth of 12 feet. In the earlier days, these drums were used to announce the approach of enemies, victory in war, village feasts, funerals, natural calamities etc and the drum was
revered as a deity. Different rhythms of beatings are used to announce different occasions.
The traditional art motifs of Nagaland are unique and intriguing.
Every art motif is symbolic and carries a deeper meaning or story behind. Attainment of Social recognition and status is a strong human aspiration that in many ways influences the life style of a people.
The modality adopted by a society for determining social status among its members is a force that shapes the mentality of the mass. Feast of Merit is a common feature traditionally practiced by the Nagas in the past for conferring Social Status to an individual which speaks of honesty and hard labour as a way of life then. Through years of labour and perseverance, a man acquires sufficient wealth in the form of grains and cattle heads to offer a feast of merit for his village that requires of him to perform a series of elaborate ceremonies. On accomplishment of all ceremonies and feasts, he is recognized as a man of high status in the village entitled to wear specially designed dresses and to adorn his house with various designs of woodcarvings and Daintiness.
A rich man’s house is distinguished by the ‘house-horns’ and carvings on the front wall or huge carved pillars in front of the house that may differ from tribe to tribe. Acknowledging the abundance of
artistic talents in the state and the need to expose and promote the creative potentials, the first Artists’ Corner at the Hornbill Festival was organized by the Department of Art & Culture with the Nagaland Arts Society in 2010 to facilitate display and sell artworks.
The huge collection of art works accompanied by demonstration, live sketching and caricatures by several artists organized in the first year turned out entertaining and rewarding for many and the Artists’
Corner became a regular feature of the Hornbill Festival since then.
The Artists’ Corner in 2010 and 2011 was housed in thatched huts constructed in Naga traditional house pattern, but the need for bigger space to accommodate more art activities necessitated a bigger
pavilion to be constructed at the space adjacent to the WW2 Museum to house the Artists’ Corner from 2012. The Artists Corner through the years grew to become a conglomeration of varied art activities.
(Source Department of Art & Culture)
A DIPR feature by Temjenkaba, IA
