Cultural Heritage of North-East India

GYAN BAHADUR CHHETRI

North-East India is the easternmost region of India comprising of eight states---Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The people the NE often express strong resentment for underdevelopment of the region. The North Eastern Council (NEC) was created in 1971 for looking after and developing this region. This part of the country shares international boundary with China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh and warrants special attention from the central government.
North- Eastern states in India have their rich cultural heritage and it may rightly be called Mini India. Hence, in order to focus the cultures of this region to the attention of people in other states, Octave started exhibiting a variety of artistic flavors  showcasing the art, craft, music, food and costumes  of the region. The festival of Octave (symbolizing eight states) is specially designed to focus the cultural heritage of eight states
The first Octave was held at Delhi in 2006. In the year 2015, this festival was held at Dariya Sangam, Campal, Panaji (Goa) from 18 to 22 March. I got an opportunity to take part in a literary meet which was a part of the festival.
Cultural show was presented each day during the days of festival in the evening  on a specially designed large open stage well equipped with light and sound system. The shows not only gave amusement to the spectators, but most importantly, also infused in our minds a strong sense of unity and integrity as an Indian in the midst of diversities.
  A very brief introductory note of the cultural exhibition is summarized as below:
BIHU DANCE: (Assam)
Bihu is one of the most colorful folk dances of Assam. Bihu dance is an expression of youthful exuberance. The Bihu dancers perform this dance with songs of erotic sentiment by beating of drums and by blowing pepa and other indigenous musical instruments. Bihu festival is celebrated to mark the advent of the spring season and Assamese New Year. Of the three types of Bihus— Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu and Magh Bihu, the first one is the most colorful and celebrated with a weeklong program at the advent of spring season.
SATTRIYA DANCE: (Assam)
 Mahapurus Sankardev (1449-1569) created this dance form as a part of Ankiya Drama. Although, originally it was traditionally developed and confined within the vaishnavite monasteries (sattras), presently this traditional dance form of Assam has much wider recognition. Sangeet Natak Akademy has recognized this as a classical dance form of India on 15 November 2000. The main instrument of Sattriya Dance is a traditional drum called khol and cymbal. It is performed by a group, Gayan-Bayan which means singers and instrument players. They play the instruments with rhythmic pattern and use many intricate foot works. The main objective of Gayan-Bayan is to invoke the God who is regarded as the creator and source of all power in the world. The stage is also treated as a sacred place.
DAHAL THUNGRI: ( Assam)
Dahal Thungri dance is performed by Bodo women with sword and shield. This dance is performed at the time of bathow pooja (worshiping Bathow God) for protection and well being  of the community as a whole. Bathou is the religion of the Bodos. In Bodo language Dahal means shield and thungri means sword.
JUJU-JHA-JHA: (Arunachal Pradesh)
It is a folk dance of Nishi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is performed at the time of harvesting crops of paddy and millet. The grains are brought to the granary by performing of the rite called Jurpi. In this folk dance the women narrate the nature nourishing the crop, harvesting it and how the seed are guided to come to the granary house. On the last day of the harvest, it is believed, the soul of the grain is also brought to the granary.
 ERAP DANCE: (Arunachal Pradesh)
Erap Dance is the traditional dance of Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This dance is performed by male members on the occasion of marriage ceremonies. In this dance the marriage party is welcomed by the groom and his family members. The dance is performed by thumping of the yoksa on the floor. It is believed that it can drive away any evil spirit. After the arrival of the bride party at the groom’s house Erap Dance is performed which involves body movement in a typical manner.
DHOL CHOLOM   (Manipur)
Dhol Cholom  is a popular dance form of Manipur.  Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated in Manipur  and it is known as Dhol Cholom. On this festive occasion, community prayers (Sangkirtan) are arranged and Krishna and Radha are worshipped through the medium of music and dance. This Vaishnavite tradition of devotional songs and dances is performed  as an offering to the deity Krishna. Sangkirtan has become an integral part of Manipuri culture and it is performed on all major occasions and festivals. During the festival of Yaoshang, Dhol Cholom is performed using the musical instruments---mainly Dhol, Dholak and a variety of drums. Dressed in colorful costumes, the artists exhibit a spectrum of rhythms and perform acrobatic feats. Beautiful combination of vigor and grace of this dance form passionately  attracts the viewers.
KA  SHAD  MASTIAH  DANCE (Meghalaya)
Ka shad Mastiah dance is an important dance form of Khasi community of Meghalaya. This war dance is performed by male dancers in memory of their forefathers who laid down their lives in protecting the honor and chastity of their women whose status is very high in Khasi community. In this dance, the dancer holds a sword and performs the dance by moving forward and backward. In the process the dancer drops down his sword, bows his head and recedes. This is repeated several times, the dancers facing each other charging and receding in the above manner. In this dance traditional costume, sword, silver quiver and arrows are important.
CHERAO DANCE  (Mizoram)
Cherao is an attractive dance of Mizoram. This dance is also known as Bamboo-Dance  and performed on all festive occasions. In this dance two pairs of long bamboos held across on the ground are clapped together producing a musical sound which forms the rhythm of the dance. The bamboos placed horizontally have supporting bases. The female dancers in traditional colorful costumes dance with the beats of bamboos. Cherao Dance is unique in style with marvelous  display of skill and timing.
MUNGYANTA HARVEST DANCE  (Nagaland)
This ia a harvest dance of Lotha tribe of Nagaland. After the harvesting the women of Lotha tribe celebrate the festival of Tokhu Emong by singing and dancing. The dance for merry making and share love and blessings with one another. They believe that  gathering of huge piles of crops are of no value if they do not love each other.
Naga War Dance is another kind of dance celebrated at the time of return of warriors after victory in a war. In the ancient times, Naga tribes were known for head-hunting. It was treated as glorious act if someone brings the head of enemy. The dance is an expression of proud as a member of the particular Naga tribe
SINGHI CHHAM  or SNOW LION (Sikkim)
Singhi Chham is an important  folk dance of Sikkim. In this dance, artists decorate themselves as snow lion and perform dances according to the instructions of the ring-master. The snow lion is treated as an integral part of culture of the hilly state of Sikkim. The snow lion is a mythical animal and the people of Sikkim believe that if one sees the animal it brings fortune to him. The cultural symbol of good luck becomes vivid in this dance form.
TAMANG SELO is a folk song  of Tamang community and widely popular among Nepali speaking people as a whole.  It is mainly accompanied by an instrument called Damphu. Musical Instruments like Madal and Tungna are also played while performing it. Tamang Selo is a melodious song and usually sung to express love, sorrow and stories of day to day life.
HOJAGIRI DANCE (Tripura)
Hojagiri Dance is performed during a festival celebrated in the of April to invoke the Goddess of wealth called Mainuma. It is a popular folk dance of Reang community of Tripura. It is believed that if the Goddess Mainuma is pleased with them she will bless them with plenty of crops. In this dance the movement of hands and upper part of the body is restricted to some extent while the movement from the waist to the feet is done slowly in a sensuous manner. The dancers  stand on earthen pitcher with a bottle on their head and a lighted lamp is balanced on the bottle.