Govt committed to promotion of art and culture: Mein
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Aug 4: The first-of-its-kind Arunachal Literature & Art Festival (ALAF) – The Prelude got underway amidst the buzz of an excited crowd of arts and literature lovers at Indira Gandhi Park here on Saturday.
Arts lovers made a beeline to view the works of local artists such as Jene Hai, Gyamar Nanam, Rinchin Choden, Kenjum Angu, Takam Harming, Zarjo Bengia and Bhanu Tatak, whose creations were exhibited in the art exhibition.
The book fair set up by major publishing houses like Tulika Books, Teri Press, Kalpravirksha, Sahitiya Akademi, and home publisher Potigarh of Naharlagun drew a large number of book lovers.
A panel discussion themed ‘Indigenous Traditions: Continuity & Convergence’, moderated by Prof Jumyir Basar of the RGU’s Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, saw the participation of Sarit Kumar Chaudri of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Karbi activist DS Teron, linguist Lisa Lomdak of the RGU, and cultural activist Moji Riba.
The panelists concluded that change is necessary to continue culture.
Earlier in the day, inaugurating the event, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said the state government would extend support and help in promoting arts and literature, but also added that the government “needs to ponder on sponsoring events and festivals, considering the fund crunch, and people should also understand the limitation of the state exchequer.”
Stressing on the importance of arts and literature, the DCM said, “We need to promote arts and literature and the reading habit,” and urged parents to encourage their children to read books.
Tourism Secretary Sadhana Deori in her address informed that the ALAF is aimed at introducing indigenous artists, writers and poets to a larger audience.
“People who participate in the event will take away something fruitful and wonderful from two days of basking in the smell of paint and getting lost between words,” she said.
Celebrated author and Sahitya Akademi awardee YD Thongchi in his address encouraged young minds to shoulder the responsibility of preserving arts and literature.
“Earlier, arts and literature did not get much space and attention, but gradually young people are showing keen interest in such pursuits,” Thongchi said, expressing joy that the event to promote arts and literature is being held in the state.
Briefing on the objectives of the festival, ALAF curator and director Karry Padu said, “We let other people into what we have written in our dairy.”
Urging young people to join, Padu said, “It is us who would carry forward arts and literature and write the history of our own.”
