NAHARLAGUN, Feb 14: The Festival of Arunachal 2019, marking the 33rd Statehood Day, got off to a start here on Thursday with artistes of the ‘Boulevard of Colours’ (BoC) participating at a Valentine’s Day programme at the Oju Welfare Mission.
“Like in previous years, the artistes enthusiastically showed, yet again, that the new generation has their hearts in the right place,” said BoC director Moyir Riba.
The BoC crew along with the artistes organized a small preview of the festival, in which the artistes performed for the children and the faculty members of the mission. While upcoming rappers Kartum Gumsar Tamin and Nyer told their stories through their lyrics, Yompe Chisi and Oyi Lendo enthralled the audience with their melodious voices, and Jetin Nilling showed his skills on the guitar.
Baji showed off his techno beat-boxing proficiency, and beat boxer Dawa Norbu stole the audience’s heart with his performance.
Dancers from Loading Crew, Urban Bros, Dab Crew, The Last Crew and Dream Makers presented various art forms. Rajesh Pabin, the man behind the battle jam, won over the audience with his multifaceted talents.
The highlight of the day was the jam session where the members of Family Crew invited the children to dance to their moves amid techno beat-boxing by Baji, winner of the Loopstation competition of the Northeast.
The day ended with presentation of stationery items to the children.
The event was supported by Iconic Automobiles and MD Pema Yangjom Khrimey.
The 4th edition of BoC – a two-day culture and music street pageant, organised by the Centre for Cultural & Research Documentation in collaboration with the art & culture department – is going to be held along the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium access road here from 18 to 19 February this year.
“The event, which began in 2016, is an endeavour to involve the residents of Naharlagun in the Festival of Arunachal celebrations, and to showcase the cultural diversity and performing arts of the tribes in the state,” Riba said.
