OCTAVE 2006
Celebrating the north east

Programme organized by

Ministry of Tourism and Department of Culture

in association with

Sangeet Natak Akademi

Lalit Kala Akademi

Sahitya Akademi

National School of Drama

ITPO

DFFI

NEZZCC

EZCC

Octave

Celebrating the North East An eight – day Cultural Festival

Organized by the Department of Culture,
Ministry of Tourism and Culture

in association with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Academy, National School of Drama, East Zone Cultural Centre, North East Zonal Centre, Directorate of Film Festival, (I & B Ministry) and ITPO.

Octave 2006 showcased the diverse and rich heritage of the eight states of the northeast. Approximately 600 artistes of different streams of art forms, ranging from folk, tribal, and traditional music and dance, to theatre and pop groups and bands participated in this eight-day cultural extravaganza.

Components of the Festival

Folk and classical dances
Traditional music, choral music, popular music and instrumental music
Theatre
Cinema
Visual arts
Literature and
Cinema of the North Eastern states have been brought under the umbrella of the Festival

Inauguration

The Hon’ble Prime Mister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the eight day Festival on 7th March at 6.30 P.M. at the Hamswadhwani Auditorium. Smt. Ambika Soni, Minister for Tourism and Culture presided over the function.

North East Film Festival
(8th – 14th March, Shakuntalam Theatre)
Organised by the Directorate of Film Festival of India (DFFI),
Ministry of I&B

The North East film festival featured a total number of 18 films from 8th to 14th of March. Most of these are award winning films, a part of the Indian Panorama.

Inaugural Function

The Film Festival was inaugurated on the 8th of March at the Shakuntalam at 6.30 pm. Senior Directors Shri Aribam Shyam Sharma (Manipur) and Smt. Manju Borah (Assam) ttended the inaugural function.

The inaugural film is LAAZ directed by Manju Borah. Since 8th of March is International Women’s day this film seems to be the appropriate choice as the theme revolves around the girl child of the fisher community.

8.3.2006
Wednesday
6.30 P.M.
Inaugural Function
Followed by LAAZ
Dir: Manju Borah
2005/(Assamese)/78 min/35 mm

9.3.2006
Thursday
12.30 P.M.
IMAGI NINGTHEM
Dir: Aribam Syam Sharma
1982/(Manipur)/108 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
APAROOPA
Dir: Jahnu Barua
1983/(Assamese)/134 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
AGNISNAAN
Dir: Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia
1986/(Assamese)/172 min/35 mm

10.3.2006
Friday
12.30 P.M.
WOSOBIPO
Dir: Gautam Bora
1991/(Karbi)/137 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
ISHANOU
Dir: Aribam Syam Sharma
1991/(Manipur)/76 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
HALODHIA CHORAYE BAODHAN KHAI
Dir: Jahnu Barua
1992/(Assamese)/132 min/35 mm

11.3.2006
Saturday
12.30 P.M.
FIRINGOTI
Dir: Jahnu Barua
1992/(Assamese)/116 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
HALADHAR
Dir: Sanjeev Hazorika
1993/(Assamese)/115 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
ABARTAN
Dir: Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia
1994/(Assamese)/93 min/35 mm

12.3.2006
Sunday
12.30 P.M.
ADAJYA
Dir: Santwana Barodoloi
1996/(Assamese)/107 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
RAG BIRAG
Dir: Bidyut Chakravarty
1996/(Assamese)/118 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
SNABI
Dir: Aribam Syam Sharma
1996/(Manipur)/93 min/35 mm

13.3.2006
Monday
12.30 P.M.
KAAL SANDHYA
Dir: Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia
1998/(Assamese)/118 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
KUKHAL
Dir: Jahnu Barua
1999/(Assamese)/92 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
SAROTHI
Dir: Jahnu Barua
2003/(Assamese)/112 min/35 mm

14.3.2006
Tuesday
12.30 P.M.
SAROTHI
Dir: Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia
2003/(Assamese)/98 min/35 mm

3.30 P.M.
THE TREASURE IN THE SNOW
Dir: Gautam Ghose
2004/Eng./18 min/35 mm

JUYE POORA XOON
Dir: Sanjib Sabhapandit
2004/(Assamese)/96 min/35 mm

6.30 P.M.
LAAZ
Dir: Manju Borah
2005/(Assamese)/78 min/35 mm

Literary Symposium
Poetry Reading and Book Exhibition
(9th March, seminar room 1st floor Hall 7)
Organised by the Sahitya Akademi

10 AM
The Symposium
The Symposium on the Literature of the North East-Language, Tradition, Identity focussed on the plural traditions of the North East and examined the question of identity and the linkages with diverse traditions.

Dr. Indira Goswami was the Chief Guest in the symposium. Other participants included Dr. Anil Boro (Guwahati), L. Joychandra Singh (Imphal), Smt. Minakshi Sen (Agartala), Dr. Sylvanus Lamare (Shillong), Dr. D. Koulie (Kohima).

3 PM
Poetry Reading
About 14 poets of the North East participated in the poetry reading session.

9th – 12th March, 10 AM onwards
Book Exhibition
The books from North East, published by the Sahitya Akademi as well as other publishers were featured in the Book Exhibition in the foyer of Hall no. 7

Art exhibition:
‘Call of the Bamboos’
(8th – 14th March at the Lounge in front of Seminar Room on 1st Floor in Hall no. 7)
Organised by Lalit Kala Akademi

This exhibition comprised painting and sculptures by artists of the North East. Artists representing all 8 states of the North East participated in this event.

Inauguration:
The exhibition was inaugurated on the 8th of March at 5.00 P.M. by Smt Neena Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Culture, Prof. R. B. Bhaskaran, Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi and Shri Shobha Brahma, one of the senior most and respected artists of the region.

Cultural events
(7th – 14th March at Hamsadhwani and Lal Chowk)

7th March
‘The Octavian Harmony’, Hamsadhwani, 7 PM

The inaugural function was followed by ‘Octavian Harmony’ – a composite choreography of music, dance, drums and martial arts by 150 artists from the eight states of the northeast. It was specially conceived and designed for the occasion by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

8th March focus state Meghalaya
Choral Music, Hamsadhwani, 6.30 PM

In choral music the element of harmony was beautifully presented and interwoven with the unique tradition, culture and beliefs behind the music of each state and its people. It carried the message of oneness and solidarity and love for each other in the eyes of one God.

The choral groups from different states were be co-ordinated and conducted by Shri Lipokmar Tzudir from Nagaland.

9th March focus state Sikkim, Mizoram
Instrumental Ensemble, Hamsadhwani, 6.30 P.M

About 67 instrumentalists from all 8 states of the North East got together and presented compositions especially created for the occasion by Shri Pawan Bordoloi, who also conducted the orchestra.

8th, 9th and 10th March Play, Lal Chowk – at 7.30 P.M

This segment comprised theatre presentations by two young and upcoming theatre directors of the North East and presentations by two senior directors

Shri Purba Lepcha (Sikkim) Play- Karna on 8th of March at 7.30 P.M

Shri Madhusudan Deb Barma (Tripura) Eklavya on 9th March 7.30 P.M

The presentation of the two senior directors are on 10th March 6.30 P.M

They are Shri Kanhailal and Smt Savitri Heisham (Manipur) Play- Memoirs of Africa

Shri Ali Haider (Assam) Play- Ao hetu ki Swadesh preeti

10th March, Hamsadhwani, 6.30 P.M. focus state Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland Celebrating the spirit of three states of North East viz; Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.

Raas from Manipur
Dances of Sangatam Naga from Nagaland
Juju Jaja dance from Arunachal Pradesh

11th March focus state Assam
Folk and celebration dances—Hamsadhwani-6.30 P.M
Satriya Dance of Assam
Eme Rello Dance of Arunachal Pradesh
Cheraw Dance of Mizoram
Shad Thme Dance of Meghalaya Thang Ta Dance of Manipur
Zo-Mal-Lok of Sikkim
Hozagiri Dance of Tripura
Farkanti Fusakay Dance of Assam
Mungyanta Naga Dance of Nagaland.

12th March focus state Tripura
Folk and celebration dance--Hamsadhwani-6.30 P.M.

Approximately 250 artists from the 8 states of the North East will be portraying the rich cultural heritage of each state through the medium of the dance forms such as:
Hozagiri Dance from of Tripura
Holi Pala of Manipur
Bihu Dance of Assam
Maruni Dance of Sikkim Lotha Naga Dance of Nagaland
Juju Jaja Dance from Arunachal Pradesh Shad Suk Mynsiem Dance from Meghalaya
Chawnglaizawn Dance of Mizoram

13th March
Folk and popular singers, Hamsadhwani, 6.30 P.M.

Keeping in mind the tastes of the younger generation, four well-known and popular groups/bands have been invited to participate.
Lou Majaw and band-Meghalaya.
Rewben Mashangva-Manipur.
Ms. Tetei Ralte Mizoram
Zubeen Garg Assam

14th March
Closing Ceremony, Melody of the Mountains’, Hamsadhwani, 6.30 P.M.

6.30 Hamsadhwani Theatre*
Closing ceremony Melody of the Mountains designed by Shri Lou Majou navigates the extraordinary, wonderful and yet familiar, the spectacle promises to capture centuries of musical heritage.

Credits

Festival Consultant – Coordinator – Ms. Sadhna Shrivastav

Stage design – Shri. Baharul Islam

Choreographer – Smt. Maitrayee Pahadi

Music composer – Shri Pawan Bordoloi

Choir leader – Shri Lipokmar Tzudir

Compere – Smt. Mridu Tripathi

Overall technical in charge, and Light design – Shri Gautam Bhattacharya

Ambience – Shri Ved Pohoja

Execution of Stage design – Shri Kailash Jiwani

Sound and lights – Modern Stage

Exhibition Design/Curator Painting Exhibition Call of the Bamboos Dr Alka Raghuvanshi
Print design Octave – Holistic design, Shri Nikhil Bharadwaj