While our fellow students are vaguely familiar with the term ‘the seven sister states’, many of them are clueless when it comes to defining what our culture, tradition and history is really all about.
Hence, we were encouraged by our late English professor Barbara Naidu to hold a festival showcasing the wonderfully rich culture and diversity from our region and debunk many of the prevailing social and political stereotypes.”
“It has since become an annual event and growing in popularity,” said the organisers of the vibrant Festival of the North East which had an eclectic mix of songs, dances, costumes and food showcased in splendid manner at St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science recently.
That there is much more to the North East than momos, the ULFA terrorists and
tea plantations was evident from the cultural programme that was full of colour
and energy.
The dancers representing the different tribes in their exotic costumes were graceful and expressive. Each folk dance like the Kuki, the Bihu, the Zeliangh told a story and related a bit of history from the region.
Like any agrarian community, harvest time is always a time for festivities, dancing and singing. The different tribes express the farmers’ happiness through these dances characterised by body breaks and rhythmic steps. Interspersed with music, both solos and group songs, the evening was topped
with a fashion show from the region.
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