Bengaluru to host North-east cultural fest this weekend

 Get ready to savour the taste of the culture of the seven north-east states in the City with a two-day festival, “Eeshaanya” beginning from March 28.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Southern Regional Centre, is organising this first-of-its-kind north-east cultural festival. More than 100 artistes from north-east will regale Bengalureans with rich music and dance programmes, including Raas Leela from Manipur, Sattriya from Assam, Temango Selo from Sikkim, Apilo Kuwo from Nagaland, Cheraw Dance from Mizoram, Hojagiri from Tripura and Rekham Pada from Arunachal Pradesh.

The festival will also include a panel discussion on ‘Connecting North East with the Rest of the Country-Challenges and Opportunities’.

Dr Richa Negi, Programme Coordinator, North East Culture, IGNCA, and Jonali Saikia Khasnabish, Founder of Heeya and Dr Rini Ralte, President, North East Solidarity, will be participating in the lecture programmes. Besides, there will be exhibitions of basketry and special films will be screened during the festival. People will be able to enjoy the north-east delicacies at the food stalls and can also buy handloom products at the festival.

The festival will be inaugurated by  Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister H N Ananth Kumar. Former Bengaluru police commissioner S P Sangliana will inaugurate the valedictory programme. The festival will be held at SRC campus, Kengunte Circle, Mallathahalli, next to Kalagrama, Jnanabharathi Post, Bengaluru – 560056.