Preparations on for ‘Maati Ke Rang’

EMN Dimapur, January 12 [dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur dholak players are on a roll at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) complex in Dimapur. A percussion troupe from Uttar Pradesh joins in; so does a base drummer from Rajasthan. They are practicing the opening act for ‘Maati Ke Rang,’ a national cultural festival being held from January 13-17 at the NEZCC in Dimapur.As they rehearse, each culture realizes it has a different set. With some intervention from a choreographer, the sounds merge. Slowly, the dancers join in—the Punjabi boys groove to traditional beats that Bodo girls match step with. They are all part of cultural troupes from seven Zonal Cultural Centres in India taking part in the ‘Maati Ke Rang’ Festival 2015 that will see nearly 600 artists—young and old—come together to showcase and exchange their flavours. This will be a unique opportunity for the Naga people to witness and be part of a cultural exchange so rich; the festival seeks to draw 10-15,000 people per day. Starting today, the festival will begin with a mini marathon at 6:00am, followed by the opening of the thematic pavilions at 10:00am. The first day, January 13, will host Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, as the chief guest for the inaugural program, to kick off at 6:00pm. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal will grace the festival mid way. The closing ceremony, which will see Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya play chief host, will have Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, as its chief guest. For more information, please log on to www.nezccindia.in Vehicular traffic around NEZCC Due to security reasons in view of the ensuing “Maati Ke Rang” Festival, vehicular traffic in and around the festival venue has been regulated in consultation with the local administration and Diphupar Village Council. Joint Director Talinokcha in a release requested all residents in around area of the festival and general public to co-operate with the Police and volunteers during the period of the festival from January 13-17 as per the roadmap.