North East Festival Delhi 2014 | Photos

Celebrating Unity: 
North East Festival 2014 
Brings Culture & Community to New Delhi

The second edition of the North East Festival, themed "Connecting People, Celebrating Life," took place at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi, from November 7th to 10th, 2014.

This vibrant festival aimed to showcase the rich diversity of India’s North East while promoting awareness, investment, and tourism in the region. Attendees enjoyed a carnival atmosphere filled with music, traditional dances, ethnic cuisine, fashion shows, and exhibitions featuring photography, painting, film, handloom, handicrafts, and agriculture.

Eight states from the North East participated in this four-day celebration, highlighting the cultural tapestry of the region.

Here are some insights captured by our correspondent, BRUCE K. THANGKHAL, from KV NEWS.

GARO, Meghalaya

HMAR CULTURAL DANCE

TRIPURA

ZELIANGRONG CULTURAL DANCE

VARIOUS TRIBES OF ARUNACHAL

TAMANG DANCE

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A singer from Arunachal Pradesh

The Compere in Traditional Attire

---- Tastes of the North East States ----

--- MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL ---

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4-Day North East Festival Begins in New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 7, 2014: The second edition of the North East Festival commenced on November 7 at the IGNCA grounds in Janpath, New Delhi, and will continue until November 10. The event was inaugurated by Dr. VK Singh (Gen. Retd), Union Minister of DoNER, and Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs, who served as the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.

KUKI DANCE. Pic: Bruce K. Thangkhal

The festival saw the presence of renowned Indian boxer MC Mary Kom, who also serves as the Brand Ambassador for the North East Festival. Numerous dignitaries from the Northeast region and New Delhi attended the event.

During the inaugural session, several athletes from the North East, who recently excelled at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, were honoured with the NEC Chairman’s Sports Awards for Excellence. The athletes included Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, L. Devendro Singh, and Dipa Karmakar.

Mizo celebrated singer, Fiona Pachuau. Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

The focus of this year’s festival is on promoting business and investment opportunities in the region, alongside showcasing the diverse culture and rich heritage of the North Eastern states.

Artistes from various North East states, in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, performed a series of traditional ethnic dances, adding vibrancy to the event. The festival also featured an array of food stalls offering authentic Northeastern cuisine, including popular outlets like Rosang Cafe, Dzukou Tribal Kitchen, and The Cuisine Boulevard, among others. Handicrafts and ethnic handlooms were also on display, reflecting the craftsmanship of the region.

MINUTES OF DECAY. Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

The evening was filled with performances by popular music bands from the Northeast, such as Guwahati Lights, Akhu - Imphal Talkies, and Soulmate, which captivated the large audience.

FASHION PARADE.  Pic- Bruce K. Thangkhal

Earlier in the day, a panel discussion on "The Feeling of Alienation in the North East and the Implementation of the Bezbaruah Committee Recommendations" was organized by the North East Community of Delhi.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

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Large Crowds turn out for Second Day of NE Fest in Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 8, 2014: The second day of the North East Festival in the national capital saw a larger turnout on Saturday.

Fashion Parade. Pic: Bruce K. Thangkhal

Held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in Janpath, the cultural carnival continued in full swing, drawing crowds to food stalls representing various northeastern states. Visitors eagerly sampled ethnic dishes and explored stalls showcasing traditional clothing, handicrafts, and vegetables unique to the Northeast.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, especially during the Day Carnival, where Mizo pop sensation Fiona Pachhuau, a young star and Delhi University student, wowed the audience with her melodious performance. Known for her popularity among the youth in Mizoram, Fiona captivated the crowd with her stunning stage presence.

Another band, Foot Wings, also captured the audience’s attention with their electrifying performance, leaving listeners spellbound. Adding to the musical lineup were Minutes of Decay, a trio of sisters from Manipur, whose mesmerizing and elegant performance drew praise from all in attendance.

Earlier in the day, a film festival aimed at promoting Northeast cinema was held at the IGNCA Media Centre, attracting many attendees. The event marked the start of the day’s activities.

A discussion session followed, covering key topics such as the agro-food processing sector in the Northeast, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities, and the region's potential in IT & ITES. Experts and officials led these discussions at the IGNCA Conference Hall.

The festival’s cultural highlights included performances of Mizo’s Cheraw Lam (Bamboo Dance), a world-record dance, and the Kuki dance, featuring various Kuki sub-tribes. Spectators were captivated by the dancers' traditional costumes and graceful movements.

The evening concluded with a cultural and fashion show, where designers from all eight northeastern states displayed their talents. Models showcased the region's traditional and contemporary attires on the runway. SK Panda, IAS, Secretary of Textiles, Government of India, attended as the chief guest.

Renowned performers like Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, Naga folk music pioneer Guru Reuben Masangva, the Tetseo Sisters, and Asangla Jamir, a music teacher at DPS Sonepat, enthralled the large crowd.

Celebrities from the Northeast, including Mr. Universe Mahadev Deka, a cancer survivor and bodybuilder, Shiva Thapa, the youngest Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Games, and Rajni Basumatary, who portrayed MC Mary Kom's mother in the 2014 biopic Mary Kom, added star power to the evening.

The four-day carnival is expected to attract even more visitors on Sunday, with the event set to conclude on Monday.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

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