Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024: Cultural festival of Northeast India to be held in Delhi from January 13

DIMAPUR — Uttar Purvi Mahotsav, a five-day cultural extravaganza showcasing the richness of Northeast India including cultural fabric and economic possibilities, will be held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi, from January 13 to the 17th.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is organising the event through its Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) along with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC).

Briefing the media on Thursday in New Delhi, DoNER secretary Chanchal Kumar said the first edition of the festival “has been meticulously curated to showcase the rich diversity of Northeast India, blending traditional arts, crafts, and cultures under one vibrant umbrella”, updated PIB.

“Envisioned as a cultural mosaic, Uttar Purvi Mahotsav is more than a celebration. It is a platform for economic opportunities. The festival aims to foster exchanges in traditional handicrafts, handlooms, agro products, and tourism offerings, becoming a catalyst for the region’s growth and development,” read an update.

The event will also showcase traditional dances from the region, including the Mungwanta Dance of Nagaland, Wangala Dance of Meghalaya, the Bamboo Dance of Mizoram, and the Bihu Dance of Assam. Tetseo Sisters, a popular band from Nagaland, and Shankuraj Konwar from Assam will also perform at the festival.

Key highlights of Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024

Handicrafts, handlooms and agri-horti produce: To be participated by as many as 250 weavers, farmers and entrepreneurs, the festival will also serve as a platform to showcase the unique aspects that make the northeast region a ‘cultural jewel’.

The event ‘aims to present the best of Northeast India under one roof with exquisite, handcrafted products, handloom and textiles, sustainable handicrafts, bouquet of GI products- indigenous fruits and organic products of the region, said the update.

Panel discussions: The festival will feature panel discussions on “Towards Prosperity: Catalysing North East’s Progress Towards a Viksit Bharat (developed India)”, seeking to underscore the region’s key role in propelling the nation towards vibrancy and progress by focusing on the untapped potential of Northeast.

The panel on “Women Leaders in the Northeast” will delve into the diverse contributions of women leaders including the development of the region, recognising their important role in laying the groundwork for resilient and sustainable communities; while the panel on “Youth, Workforce, and the Economic Tapestry of India” will provide insights into how the youth and workforce of the Northeast can shape the economic tapestry of India through, as well as explore their contributions, aspirations, and challenges.

Buyer seller meets: Several sessions will be held to provide a conducive platform for interactions across various sectors, with a special focus on handlooms and handicrafts, agro and allied products, as well as tourism, said the update. It will allow participants to explore business opportunities, thus enhancing economic collaboration and growth with key domains.

“One of the key initiatives connects artisans, weavers, and entrepreneurs with the aim to onboard 5,000 – 10,000 artisans annually,” said the update, adding that “the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) partnership will help small businesses unleash the power of digital commerce”.

Cultural showcase: The festival promises to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage through traditional dances and mesmerizing performances including a musical extravaganza.

On January 14, the audience can witness the Satriya Dance of Assam and the Hojagiri Dance of Tripura, which will start at 5 pm. It will continue ‘with a Fashion Show from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, offering style, creativity, and north-eastern flair’.

The performances on January 15 include Tangtha Fight from Manipur and the dynamic Lion Dance of Sikkim, while a band from Mizoram will perform for an hour, starting from 5 pm on January 16, followed a musical show from Manipur.

The grand finale on January 17 will feature an hour-long performance from rock band Bottle Rockets India. Singer and violinist Sunita Bhuyan will also perform on the concluding day.

The update from PIB went on to inform that Barak Hostel at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will be inaugurated during the Uttar Purvi Mahotsav. The hostel can accommodate 400 students from NER desirous of studying in JNU, it said.

The foundation stone of a North East Convention Centre also will be laid at Dwarka, it said, adding that the “centre will be built at par with international standards and will serve as a cultural and information hub of North East India in Delhi”.