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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 15 (EMN): Governor of Nagaland RN Ravi on Sunday encouraged artistes in the state to connect well with the sentiments and values of the people to resonate the collective angst of the society so that it would become ‘genuine, relevant and valuable’.
He was addressing the ‘At Home’ programme cum 'Governor’s Award in the Field of Arts, Music and Literature 2020' held at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall at Raj Bhavan in Kohima.
Ravi said art, culture and music were powerful mediums of expression and added that they encompassed the collective urges of a society.
He exuded confidence that the awardees would inspire the youngsters and added that the government of Nagaland was doing significant work to promote the artistes.
He pointed out that the art, music and literature had ceased to reflect the urges of the community and the people stating that it was ‘asteroid, poor imitation’.
The Governor said Nagaland had rich cultural heritage in every village regardless of its culture, which he said was ‘remarkable’.
He however lamented that most of the ‘dresses and dances’ had lost their value, which the ancestors had preserved for centuries and passed down generations.
He then maintained that during the colonial period, each institution suffered a severe blow -- artistes, musicians and men of literature began letting in the colonial standards as the British imposed and tried to sustain its empire in India infusing inferiority among the natives in all respects.
Further, he stated that the infusion of the inferiority complex was followed in the conduct in the teaching courses and literatures, which he termed ‘insidious’ and left an impact on the people with a colonised mind.
He maintained that the celebration of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence was the celebration of political decolonisation and pointed out that there was some ‘unfinished stuff’ of the decolonisation project.
‘When the British came to India, they not only colonised India politically and economically but they did much more as a part of their policy of colonisation, knowing that the physical control of the people of India alone would not be sufficient to make their empire wholly sustainable, durable and launched a project to colonize the social-cultural and intellectual institutions of the people of this country,’ stated Ravi.
The Governor then highlighted how the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 while addressing the house of the commons in London stated, “When you came to India out of curiosity, as well as by desire you dug the roots of all the institutions of India; the social- cultural and intellectual institutions of India and left with uncovered and the beautiful tree perished”, adding, that decolonisation of mind, decolonisation of social-cultural and the intellectual institutions of the country remains an unfinished project.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his address maintained that Nagaland was well known for rich artistic heritage and tradition while the people had a natural appreciation of arts and music, which was a unique identity of the people of the state.
“A society and community that treasure and value these music, art and literature exhibits the progress and the maturity of the community,” Rio said.
He then stressed on the need to promote and preserve the culture and traditions of the state; he however stated that the people should not ignore the numerous influences of popular modern arts, music and literature that are being brought about on account of national and global exchanges.
Rio said he had seen lots of talented people compiling the old traditions and the modern music and arts, adding that this had provided opportunities worldwide.
The chief minister added that this has also provided enormous livelihood opportunities.
He informed that the formalities of the awards for 2021 could not be completed and would be carried over in 2022.
He added that the recognition through the award (Governor’s Award) not only helps in promotion of culture and tradition but also gives encouragement to the budding youths to showcase their talents not only within the state but to the world.
He put on record that the awardees represented the amalgam of modernity and tradition and expressed his happiness for their success and also urged them to be an inspiration to others.
TaFMA collaborating with over 10 countries to promote arts, music
Rio said the government was taking proactive steps for promotion of cultural activities, music and arts through the platform of the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) in various projects and capacity building exercises in collaboration with over 10 countries.
He added that the project is also aimed at building partnership between the musicians from the state and with national and international institutions to create opportunities for the artistes from the state.
Towards this, Rio also reiterated that the Chief Minister’s Music and Arts Scholarship has started from this year wherein those talented artistes would be supported.
He however lamented that the Covid-19 pandemic had affected physical activities but expressed hope that the situation would continue to improve so that many events could be held which were being halted.
Further, he exuded hope that the Hornbill Festival can be held to provide further opportunities to the artistes to collaborate and showcase their arts to the world.
Earlier, Chief Secretary J Alam in his address said the Governor's Award for Distinction in the field of Arts, Music and Literature was instituted by the state government in 2003 and has been a regular state event to recognise and honour eminent practitioners, teachers or promoters of Arts, Music or Literature in the state. He informed that since inception from 2003, a total of 80 recipients were recorded.
On the occasion, Governor’s Award was conferred to Budhi Bahadur Thapa (Fine Arts); Kekhrielezo Stephen Mark Medom (Fine Arts); Bendangnungsang Ao (Fine Arts) and Squadron Band (Music and Live performance).
The programme was attended by Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) KG Kenye, Nagaland’s legislators, High Court judges, senior government officials among others.