In line with Nagaland’s famous ‘The Hornbill Festival’, the department of Art and culture, Government of Meghalaya is too looking forward to showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. “Tri-Hills Ensemble II” festival representing the three hills of Meghalaya Khasis, Jaintias & Garos and their illustrious heritage is exactly the replica of it but with a twist.
The festival is anchored with a theme ‘rooted in nature and connected to culture’, as it aims to reawaken, revive, educate and celebrate the legacy of the past which is a whispered legacy now
Giving more details of this festival, Commissioner and Secretary Arts & Culture FR Kharkongor informed that as part of the festival the department of Art and Culture, Government of Meghalaya will recognise six villages as ‘Arts & Crafts villages’ of the state this year.
“We have six villages which will be branded as Art and craft villages, which is in continuation of villages that we selected last year. We are planning to give visibility to these villages which are keeping our heritage alive, which are keeping our tradition and heritage alive,” Kharkongor said.
Stating that the Meghalaya Government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Tribal welfare, the officer said apart from financial assistance, the state Government is also helping these villages to create its own brand similar to that of Mawlynnong and Umden.
“Last year we gave them (six villages) a financial award and the cash award was distributed last Independence Day. So first step is recognition and secondly we give them a token financial award and next is to build the brand, so these villages needs recognition like Mawlynnong has build the brand as cleanest village and Umden has build the brand as Silk village, so these villages deserve recognitions for the very unique skills, very unique practices they symbolise, they are the real custodians of tribal culture and legacy and tribal heritage are alive because of these villages,” he said.
He further said, it’s time to promote them and showcase them.
“Once the Ministry of tribal affairs approves our proposal then to start a series of training, build up some infrastructure there and hopefully take it further and have some economic activities,” Kharkongor said adding basically these villages gets sustainable livelihood out of these endeavours.
Out of the six, the five villages are Nongkynrih village ,Mustoh ,Ïalong, Babadam and Wahkhen .
Focusing on the festival, the commissioner & Secretary said, “Bring the villages into the city so that our younger generation will also be exposed, the visitors will also know the richness of our culture. The states like Nagaland have showcased culture in a vibrant way through hornbill festival; Meghalaya has been rooted in nature connected to culture. We have done a lot on nature tourism, but cultural aspects are equally important and its only through culture that we can truly get sense of being immersive as well as connected with the people by experiencing their dances, their songs, food, that you feel connected to their culture.”
This festival will unearthed the dance and culture which are confined to villages.
The festival will unfold many hidden dances and songs which were only confined to the villages so far, now we are bringing them to the state capital to give more exposure, more focus and more spotlight on these hidden dances and songs.
It will be a two day event.
“Main endeavour is to bring out all the hidden gems of our state in terms of folk dances, folklores, folk songs, games, dresses and food which is truly authentic and indigenous,” he said.
This is done as part of the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride) and Hamara Sankalp Viksit Bharat Yatra Week will be celebrated in the state from November 15th. The Meghalaya Chief Secretary will flag off the Cultural Procession/March on Tribal Pride by artists, cultural troops and cultural associations on 15th. A synthesis of Rhythm and Art Revisiting and Promoting the Culture Heritage of Meghalaya will be organised on 16 November.
However, TRI Hill Ensemble II Programme along with Inter-Department Exhibition (Hamara Sankalp Viksit Bharat Yatra) will be held on 24.11.2023 to 25.11.2023 at State Central Library Complex and U Soso Tham Auditorium. The programme will be graced by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya as the Chief Guest and Minister i/c Arts and Culture as Guest of Honour.