Urges parents to encourage children to participate in cultural activities, blend of melodious music & dance captivate audience

Port Blair, Nov 25: The two- day NAVODIT - Festival of Music and Dance by Young Talents organized by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration got underway with its inauguration by the, Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi at the ASI Auditorium here this evening. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar was the guest of honour on the occasion.

First Lady of A&N Islands, Smt. Prem Mukhi, Smt. Rupa Ray, the Chairman, PBMC, Shri B Eshwar Rao, Adhyaksh, ZPSA, Shri Jaydeep Kumar Dey, Chairperson, UTCPCR, Smt. Kiran Tigga, Director, EZCC, Dr. Om Prakash Bharati were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering soon after lighting the ceremonial lamp, the Lt. Governor expressed happiness that the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), in association with the Art & Culture Department of A&N Administration is organising this two-day festival –‘NAVODIT’ in the Islands. “This festival is being organised to encourage the young talents”, he said. The Lt Governor said, art & culture plays a very important role in the development of any country. “India is one of the oldest cultures of the world. While some old cultures of the world today are confined to the history books, the incredible  culture of India is an example for the entire world even today”, he said adding that the credit for preserving the cultures goes to the artists of the country.

The Lt Governor also appreciated the EZCC for organising a variety of cultural programmes all over the country, throughout the year and contributing in preserving and propagating the classical, folk and tribal art & culture of the country. Different cultural programmes are being organised under the Ministry of Culture and Cultural Centres in various parts of the country.

The Lt. Governor also mentioned that in this programme folk & classical performers from different States are sponsored by the zonal centres to perform here. Such programmes give an opportunity to the Islanders also to get a glimpse of the cultural heritage of the country and appreciate it, said the Lt. Governor.

Speaking about today’s programme, the Lt. Governor said that today’s programme gives an opportunity to the upcoming young artists to showcase their talents in music and dance forms. The Art & Culture Department of the Administration provides ample opportunities to the artists of the Islands to perform and enhance their talents, he said.

The Lt. Governor emphasized that there is no dearth of talent in these Islands. “Our children are immensely talented, all they need is the right stage and opportunity”, he said, urging the parents to encourage their children to participate in different cultural activities and assured the support of the Administration.

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar gave away certificates to all the participants at the end of the programme.

The festival of music & dance began with a melodious folk songs of Bihar by Dharmendar Kumar which was followed by a classical song by Priyanka Talukdar, folk songs of West Bengal by Dhanonjay Dhibar, Bharatnayam dance by Sumita Roy, gaudiya nritya of West Bengal by Satabdee Banerjee, Kathak classical dance by Debjaya Sarkar, Bharatnatyam dance by Sayani Chakraborty while Kuchipudi by artists of Gauri Shankara Classical Dance Academy, Port Blair also drew huge applause from the audience.

Earlier, the Director, Art & Culture, Smti Richa welcomed the gathering. A similar programme will be held at Chouldari tomorrow (Nov 26).

The programme was compeered by Asst. Director, Art & Culture, Dr. Rashida Iqbal and concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Director, EZCC, Dr. Om Prakash Bharati.