Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 34-35

Jan 22-Feb 6 , 1999

Nagaland tableau Centre of attraction at Republic Day parade At the Republic Day parade at Delhi this year, the tableau of Nagaland is going to be a centre of attraction. With unity and peace as its theme, the tableau depicts a dance innovated with a touch of each North-East states' culture in it to exemplify the integration ushered in by the North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur. The huge hill behind the dancers simulates a charming hillock of Dzukou Valley, a trekker's paradise of Nagaland where numerous species of rare wild flowers bloom in turn through all seasons at an altitude of 2438.4 meters above sea level. The North-East region of India comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura is inhabited by people of rich and varied cultures. The region is not only one of the world's greatest ethno-diversity areas in proportion to population and geographical area, but it is also recognised as an area of mega-diversity. It has high mountain ranges and valleys lush with green vegetation and rich flora and fauna all over. The panoramic view of terraced fields covering the hills and villages endlessly is always a exhilarating sight for the visitor. The states with distinct cultures, languages, dresses, dances, etc. had lived isolated from each other's cultures from time immemorial, almost untouched by the world's greatest historical movements prior to the World War II. The Nagas of the North-East are however known for their fierce resistance to the first British intruders during the 19th century. During the last fifty years, remarkable progress has been made by various government and non-government agencies in bringing the people of this region closer to develop a better understanding among them. The North-East Zone Cultural Centre at Dimapur in Nagaland was established in 1988 under the auspices of former prime minister, the late Rajiv Gandhi, to preserve, innovate and promote the arts and cultures of this region and to develop a sense of oneness through cultural interaction. In the recent past, music and dance festivals of the North-East states have become a regular feature where one can see the rich and colourful cultures of the different states which are distinctly distinguishable from each other. The NECC and the culture departments of the State Governments are the main organisers of such programmes. The last cultural festival held at Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, was the 'best of music from North-East' which was organised by NEZCC and the Art and Culture Department of Nagaland in July, 1998, where eminent singers from all the North-east states participated. The proposed tableau is intended to depict the atmosphere of such festivals where the colourful dresses and dances of the North-East India are being exhibited by live performing artistes on a raised platform simulating a terraced field. On the tractor stand a model of a Naga couple in full traditional attire.

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