Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi
The Ashtalakshmi Festival kicked off at Bharat Mandapam today, a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Northeast India. Organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the festival was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, who emphasised the importance of showcasing the unique traditions of the region to the nation. Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empower the North Eastern States.
The highlight of the first day was the spectacular performance of the Shillong Chamber Choir, which presents a unique blend of traditional and contemporary music. Their performance marked an inspiring start to the festival, and enthralled the audience with traditional dance performances and folk music, bringing to life the rich cultural diversity of Northeast India.
As the festival progresses over the next two days, the attendees will enjoy various performances, exhibitions and interactive sessions. The event offers a unique opportunity to see handwoven textiles and traditional craftsmanship that showcase the craftsmanship of the artisans of North-East India. The Festival is proving to be an important platform for cultural exchange that will generate a deeper appreciation for the artistic and cultural heritage of the region.
On December 7, the Festival will feature traditional music and dance performances from North-East India, along with a round table discussion aimed at promoting the arts and crafts of the region. In addition, there will be demonstrations of handwoven textiles and bamboo crafts. The Festival will continue its festivities on December 8 with the “Threads of the North-East” fashion show showcasing traditional and contemporary designs inspired by the textiles of the region. This will be followed by the “Expressions of the North-East” art exhibition showcasing the works of local artists, and a special food festival under the theme “Taste of the North-East” that will introduce the rich diversity of the region.
At the Ashtalakshmi Festival, visitors can experience the diverse and delicious cuisine of Northeast India, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of each state. Assamese food is simple but delicious, consisting of rice, fish curry and traditional pitha. Arunachal Pradesh has rice-based dishes such as thukpa and jhan, made with local ingredients such as bamboo shoots. Manipur is famous for healthy options, such as aromba and sinju, prepared with fresh herbs and fruits. Mizoram's food is light, with bai and smoked pork prominent, while Nagaland is known for its pungent and spicy flavours, with smoked pork and akhuni prominent. Tripura's food is a mix of Bengali and tribal influences, such as mui borok and wahan mosdeng. Sikkim has dishes such as momos and phagshapa made with fresh ingredients, while Meghalaya's cuisine is hearty, such as jadoh and dohneiyong. The confluence of all these cuisines presents a colourful and vibrant dining experience at the festival, which celebrates the rich culinary traditions of the region.
The aim of the Ashtalakshmi Festival is to strengthen cultural ties between different regions of India, and to celebrate the artistic achievements of North-East India and give wider national recognition to its rich traditions.
Entry to the festival is free, and tickets can be booked at www.ashtalakshmimahotsav.com.
For further information, please contact:
Brands2Life
Bhupesh Gupta
+91 9871962243
Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi
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