A cultural odyssey to unveil the richness of Northeast called, ‘Uttar Purvi Mahotsav’ will be held at the Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from January 13 to 17.
The five-day cultural extravaganza is being organised by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region managed through its CPSE, North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC).
The rich diversity of Northeast blending traditional arts, crafts, and cultures under one vibrant umbrella will be showcased during the event. Envisioned as a cultural mosaic, Uttar Purvi Mahotsav aims to foster exchanges in traditional handicrafts, handlooms, agro products, and tourism offerings, becoming a catalyst for the region’s growth and development.
About 250 weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs will participate in the event.
Panel discussions on “Towards Prosperity: Catalysing North East’s Progress Towards a Viksit Bharat” which seeks to underscore the region’s key role in propelling the nation towards vibrancy and progress and “Women Leaders in the Northeast” will also be conducted during the event.
Under the theme “Northeast in Action,” the panel on “Youth, Workforce, and the Economic Tapestry of India” aims to unravel the compelling dimensions brought to the table by the youth and workforce of the Northeast. Exploring their contributions, aspirations, and challenges, the discussion will provide insights into how this dynamic demographic can significantly shape the economic tapestry of India.
The festival will also provide a conducive platform for significant buyer-seller meets, fostering valuable interactions across various sectors. These sessions will specifically focus on handlooms and handicrafts, agro and allied products, as well as tourism. Participants will explore business opportunities, and establish meaningful connections within these key domains, further enhancing economic collaboration and growth. One of the key initiatives connects artisans, weavers, and entrepreneurs with the aim to onboard 5,000 – 10,000 artisans annually. Also, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) partnership will help small businesses unleash the power of digital commerce
The festival also promises an enchanting journey through traditional dances, mesmerizing performances, and a showcase of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The Satriya Dance of Assam and the Hojagiri Dance of Tripura, Tangtha Fight from Manipur and the dynamic Lion Dance of Sikkim will feature at the festival as well as other traditional dances such as the Wangala Dance of Meghalaya, the Mungwanta Dance of Nagaland, the Bamboo Dance of Mizoram, the Bihu Dance of Assam, and performances by the renowned Tetseo Sisters and Shankuraj Konwar.
The grand finale will feature a musical extravaganza with rock band Bottle Rockets India as the star performers. The concluding event will also see singer and violinist Sunita Bhuyan showcasing here musical talent.
Meanwhile, the Barak Hostel at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) that will accommodate 400 students from the Northeast will be inaugurated during the festival. A foundation stone of a North East Convention Centre that will serve as a cultural and information hub of North East India in Delhi will also be laid at Dwarka.
