New Delhi: North East Festival”>North East Festival, that brings the numerous colours and talents of the region to Delhi, will commence on November 3.
In last four years, the festival has evolved into one of the most talked events in town, attracting lakhs of people, who come to immerse themselves in the frenzy and fervor of North East.
The fifth edition of the North East Festival”>North East Festival will be held from November 3 to 5, at IGNCA, Janpath in the national capital.
This year, the event is expected to be bigger and better than before, with several added attractions. The festival will bring to the forefront the colourful montage of North East, including 30 dance forms, like the Naga warrior dance, Thang ta of Manipur, Hojagiri of Tripura, Bamboo dance of Mizoram, Wangala dance of Meghalaya, Lion dance of Arunachal Pradesh apart from others. Along with famous Ram Vijay Bhaona, with mask presentation of Natum Kamalabari Sattra of Majuli, Assam and the rhythms of Manipur, North East Festival”>North East Festival’s carnival promises to light up Delhi’s cultural mosaic.
North East region is known for its exotic handloom and handicraft products, and the festival will bring together 150 weavers and artisans to show their magic. With support from North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC), a Buyers-Sellers Meet and design weekend has been organised.
The event will showcase the top designs from North East that will be presented by beautiful North Eastern models and celebrity showstoppers.
The North East Festival”>North East Festival has helped immensely in the promotion of tourism in the region. This year as well tourism will be one of the core focus areas. Around 30 tour operators, who are coming from the North East, will exhibit various destinations of the region and a B2B meet on tourism will see tour operators of North East interacting with India’s top tour operators about the various tourist attractions that the region offers.
North East is famous for its organic fruits and vegetables. Organic North East, an organic hub, will present various products of the region including food processing. North East Festival”>North East Festival has helped in creating North Eastern food brands, and many new restaurants have emerged from the Festival. This year also around 30 stalls will present delectable North Eastern cuisines for a mouthwatering experience.
An exhibition of North Eastern films including ‘Rebellion Bejeweled’ – a story of a surrendered ULFA cum social worker, an exhibition of art and photography, graphiti and doodle art will give a platform for the creative expressions of the region to showcase their creation. With storytelling of famous folk tales of North East and tattoo artistes from the region, the Festival will be full of colours.
One of the major attractions of the Festival will be the NEF Rock Battle, which will see the top rock bands of Delhi’s biggest colleges fight it out in a competition. NEF Football Cup will be organised during October 26 – November 2, and will feature Delhi’s college football teams such as St. Stephens, Ramjas College, among others, competing with North East football clubs with an attempt to promote new talent and to build bridges amongst the youth.
The evening musical stage will see some of the finest musical talents of India rock the city including names like Papon, Zubeen Garg, Alobo Naga, rapper Borkung Hrangkhawl, heavy metal bands Pulse Pandits, Girish and Chronicles (GATC), Traffic Jam, Avora Records, Lucid Reccess, Jelly Kayi, international DJ Teri Miko and many others. The daytime stage will see around 20 young musical bands performing non-stop through the day. This will be the biggest collection of musical talents in one place that Delhi has ever witnessed.
The North East Festival”>North East Festival this year will be a collaborative attempt of IGNCA, NEHHDC, and various Governments of North Eastern States and is driven by well-known Socio Cultural Trust, Trend MMS which also organises the famous Rongali Festival of Assam and Colours of North East in Mumbai.
Shyamkanu Mahanta, the Chief Organiser of the Festival informed that various North Eastern States, Developmental Councils will present investment and tourism potential of the region. He added that plenty of tour operators and foreign tourists are expected to attend the festival. Delhi Police is helping to invite the RWAs based in Delhi in an attempt to create awareness about the region. Another attraction will be A quiz competition from Delhi Police amongst non North- Eastern people.
The entry for the Festival is free and the timing will be from 11 AM to 10 PM. (ANI)