With A Spring in Their Steps
Dance troupes Light Up North East Spring Fest 2011

Dimapur woke up the grandeur of spring in Northeast India recently as thousands of people flocked to the NEZCC grounds in Dimapur - the commercial capital of Nagaland – to watch the North East Spring Festival 2011. Organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) for the third consecutive year to celebrate the onset of spring in this corner of the world, more than 500 artistes from all the states of North East India as well as the other zonal centres of the country participated in the event, making it one of the most vibrant events to be organized in the region in quite some time.
Speaking about the Spring Fest, NEZCC director Som Kamei said, “Spring is undoubtedly the most beautiful time to visit North East India. This is the time when the people of the region, belonging to different tribes and races with myriad ethno-cultural traditions, languages and religious beliefs, indulge in joy and exuberance in the form of unbridled festivities that celebrate nature’s mood. The North East Spring Fest is our tribute to the beauty of spring here in the region.”
While folk dancers from as many as 14 states of the country shared space with handloom and handicraft artisans, puppeteers, writers, poets, intellectuals, choral singers, theatre groups, food connoisseurs, the highlight of the five-day extravaganza was undoubtedly the participation of folk dancers from the neighbouring country of Myanmar who were sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
In a unique spectacle of colours marked by graceful movements and quaint rustic charm, the Burmese dance troupe performed as part of a unique folk fusion dance presentation and the same was choreographed by internationally acclaimed musicologist Dr. Prassana Gogoi. A master craftsman who has earned acclaim in a number of countries, Dr. Gogoi’s accolade list also includes medals in the Seoul Drum Festival of South Korea. The beautifully choreographed presentation depicted the confluence of varied cultures in a truly vibrant and synchronised fashion.
The folk dance presentation featured regional folk dance forms like Rikhampada of the Nishi community of Arunachal Pradesh, Bagrumba of the Bodo community of Assam, Cheraw dance of Mizoram, Ka Shad Mastieh of the Khasis of Meghalaya, amongst others, as well as dance troupes from seven other states of the country. The visiting dance troupes included performances of the Gussadi dance of Andhra Pradesh, Gaur Maria dance of Chattisgarh, Dandiya Raas of Gujarat, Kullu Nati of Himachal Pradesh, Sambalpuri dance of Orisssa and Choliya dance of Uttaranchal. The folk dance troupes also performed in Mokokchung, Jaluki in Peren district and Medziphema as part of the NEZCC’s outreach programme.
The North East Spring Festival 2011 also had something in store for book lovers in the form of the Dimapur Book Fair. Organized by the National Book Trust in collaboration with NEZCC and the district administration of Dimapur, the fair was participated in by as many as 26 publishing houses which had come from different parts of the country. Marked by panel discussions, seminars, workshops, poets’ and writers’ meets and competitions for children, the book fair was regarded as a major step in the development of the reading culture of the people of Dimapur. The fair, which continued for five days, was inaugurated by eminent litterateur Professor Temsula Ao and Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Maowati Aiyer.
The North East Poetry Meet, which was organized by NEZCC in association with the United Tribal Society, for garnering support towards child rights was another big draw for poets and students. Participated in by eminent poets from all the Northeastern states, including the like of Professor Temsula Ao, Dr. Streamlet Dkhar, and others, the poetry meet included a number of competitions like poetry recitation, painting competition and screenings of films and documentaries – all based on the theme of child rights.
Moving on to the performing arts festival, while puppeteers from Rajasthan enthralled the students and children who had come to the fair, Guwahati-based theatre group Stage Fusion also performed two of their acclaimed comedies, including their latest ‘Date at 8’. Directed by Rupa Hazarika Som, ‘Date at 8’ had been staged for the first time in Guwahati earlier this year.
The North East Spring Fest drew to a close on March 20 with a fusion music evening. While Khasi guitarist-singer Lou Majaw and his group of friends was the biggest draw, the Naga choir led by Lipokmar Tzudir and the Llanfair Chamber Choir from Mizoram truly took the evening to its highest crescendo. All in all the North East Spring Fest 2011 proved to be a gala success, truly reflecting the joy, exuberance and optimism of spring time.