If you never seem to get enough of the north-eastern states, here’s a festival that’ll help. The North East Festival today and tomorrow will be a potpourri of many things — the rich culture, food habits, tradition and diversity of the region. The events at the festival will take place in a carnival format with live musical performances along with serious discussions on business, economy and social-political issues of the region.
The idea behind this festival, organised by socio-cultural trust Trend MMS in association with North East MP’s Forum and IGNCA, is to bridge the gap between north-eastern states and other parts of India. Both the evenings would see some of the best performing artists from the northeast, making a mark in national and international arena, performing live at the main stage area, while there will be an exhibition of handloom and handicraft items.
Bollywood singers from Assam, Zubin Garg of Ya Ali fame and Kalpana Patowary, who has sung the chartbuster Gandi baat, rockstar Lou Majaw, Manipuri folk musician Guru Rewben Mashangva and rock band Alobo Naga will be among the performers. There will be a special tourism zone as well, wherein 25 tour operators from the region will take visitors through a virtual tour of the northeast and also spot sell various travel packages at special rates.
One of the biggest attractions of the fest is the North Eastern Food Zone where chefs Mary Lalboi and Atul Lahkar will serve ethnic food from all the eight states and various tribes and communities of the region. The menu at the food zone also includes Dohkhlieh (pork meat salad), Sana-Thongba, (paneer curry with herbs), smoked fish, Jadoh (minced pork with rice), Kappa (Chicken curry with soda), Maroi-Bora (snacks with herbs) and Iromba (an eclectic combination of fish, vegetables and bamboo shoots). Visitors will also get a chance to interact with icons such as Olympic medallist boxer M C Mary Kom; Anshu Jamsenpa, the only mother who has scaled the Everest twice; and Bolywood actor Adil Hussain.
{{/usCountry}}One of the biggest attractions of the fest is the North Eastern Food Zone where chefs Mary Lalboi and Atul Lahkar will serve ethnic food from all the eight states and various tribes and communities of the region. The menu at the food zone also includes Dohkhlieh (pork meat salad), Sana-Thongba, (paneer curry with herbs), smoked fish, Jadoh (minced pork with rice), Kappa (Chicken curry with soda), Maroi-Bora (snacks with herbs) and Iromba (an eclectic combination of fish, vegetables and bamboo shoots). Visitors will also get a chance to interact with icons such as Olympic medallist boxer M C Mary Kom; Anshu Jamsenpa, the only mother who has scaled the Everest twice; and Bolywood actor Adil Hussain.
{{/usCountry}}Catch it live
What: The North East Festival
When: Nov 8-9
Timings: 11am onwards
Where: Indira Gandhi National Centre For the Arts, Janpath