"Songs and Dances of the North East festival", a day-long event at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee.
A large number of people, including those hailing from the North-East and locals witnessed the colourful extravaganza.
The event was organized by Government of Meghalaya and sponsored by the North Eastern Council with an aim to bridge the gap between the people of the North-Eastern States and the rest of India.
The event not only showcased the culture and traditions of the region but also created awareness about the region, its prospects and potentials.
"We need to feel proud for artists and for our culture. What we have done is that we are exposing them and provide them a platform in such a place like Delhi which they never dream of, which they never get. Now the youth who are staying here also studying as well as working and our people in general Northeast are very proud of such initiative, exposing them to the rest of the country and we want to tell the rest of the country that we are Indians and we are very proud of being Indian," said Ameising Luikham, Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC).
"This is really nice to get together, to unite as one. I really appreciate for organizing such kind of event. This is the best experience. So many of people turn up, get together and introduce to each other so this is very good," said Mary, a visitor.
The major attraction at the venue was the Food Zone where people of the region put up their traditional food stalls.
Many locals and foreigners got a chance to enjoy some delicious food prepared by them.
"I am very fond of northeast food so I'm here to enjoy northeast food. I have been to almost all the stalls here and I have tried food from different stalls and it's amazing," said a local, Dolly Bhasin.
"We are participating in this event so far it's going very well and the response is so good. It's not only North-East people but so many other local from here and also foreigner coming here and trying our food so, it's a good response," said Chubamanen Longkumar, owner of Nagaland's kitchen.
All together 26 music bands from across the region enthralled the audience.
Performances of Lost and found from Manipur, Girish and the Chronicles from Sikkim, Suolmate from Meghalaya, Frisky Pints from Mizoram, Alobo and the Naga band from Nagaland entertained the audience with their electrifying performances.
Later, BK, a Rapper from Tripura and DJ Ina from Nagaland also mesmerized the audience.
Apart from the Rock and blues, Koloma the folk fusion band from Tripura and Folk brothers from Sikkim also entertained the crowd.
The musicians send out a message of love, peace and unity through their songs.
"It is very for raising artists because they get a chance to showcase their talent, music which is hard to get out there so Delhi, Bangalore are the places for such platform," said Girish Pradhan, a vocalist of Girish and the Chronicles Band, Sikkim.
"It feels great to be part of this event because I can see so many talented bands out here and to be part of them it's a great privilege to be here I'm very happy and we are looking forward to perform more on the stage," said Borkung Hrangkhawl, rapper from Tripura.
"Today we play folk fusion. It's been an honor coming here in Delhi again for the second time and it's good to perform with our brother and sister from northeast in this festival," added Pahrii Pairson Ramai, Vocalist, Lost and Found band, Manipur.
Be it bamboo dance from Mizoram, Wangala dance from Meghalaya, Hojagiri dance from Tripura, War dance from Arunachal, Bihu dance from Assam, Pung-Chalom or stick dance from Manipur, Sangtam war dance from Nagaland and Snow Lion dance from Sikkim, 126 artists from the eight states of northeast came together to perform a cultural dance showcasing a perfect example of unity in diversity. (ANI)
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