ITANAGAR: In a move to celebrate the vibrant cultural tapestry of Arunachal Pradesh, the government has laid the groundwork for the much-anticipated Indigenous Folk Music Festival in February, a vision outlined during the state budget.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, recently spearheaded a high-powered meeting at his Secretariat office in Itanagar and discussed the significance of the upcoming festival, emphasising its role in “breathing new life” into the “diminishing resonance of traditional folk music”.
“Armed with the richness of our multi-tribal heritage, the Indigenous Folk Music Festival is not just an event but a revival mission,” stated Mein.
“We are on a mission to showcase the soulful beats, rhythms, and dances that define our indigenous culture, countering the dilution caused by the infiltration of modern influences,” he added.
The festival, touted to be a beacon of cultural rejuvenation, is not confined within Arunachal’s borders, he said.
Mein expressed the need to extend the reach of Arunachal Pradesh’s folk heritage beyond its boundaries.
“We want the rhythmic heartbeat of our culture to echo far and wide, fostering stronger connections with the diverse cultures, languages, music, and dances of other states across India, in line with the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’,” he said.
In addition to the Indigenous Folk Music Festival, the Arunachal government revealed plans for the “Bharat Lok Sangeet Arunachal Utsav 2024”.
This grand celebration, scheduled for later in February, will host cultural troupes presenting folk songs and dances from the Northeast, along with selected states from the Himalayan region and South India.
The meeting, attended by key officials including Principal Secretary Finance, Planning & Investment Sharat Chauhan, Secretary GA/DA Sadhana Deori, Secretary Tourism Swapnil M Naik, Secretary Planning R.K. Sharma, and other officers, marked a pivotal step in ensuring the success of these cultural extravaganzas.
As Arunachal Pradesh gears up to showcase its heritage, the stage is set for a musical and rhythmic journey that transcends borders and embraces the diverse hues of India’s cultural panorama.
