All Northeast States to participate at Madhavpur Mela in Gujarat

MEGA CULTURAL EVENT IN APRIL

Cultural fusion to commemorate Lord Krishna’s wedding with Rukmini: Dr Jitendra Singh

NEW DELHI: The eight States of the northern-eastern region will participate in a big way during the Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat slated in the first week of April this year. The annual fair is held at Madhavpur Ghed in Porbandar district and the Mela this year will commence on April 2, a day after the Ram Navami festival.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Gujarat Government here on Wednesday to review preparations for the mega festival. Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC), Moses Chalai and senior officers of NEC, besides the Resident Commissioners/representatives of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur were also present on the occasion.

Dr Singh directed the officials that besides Madhavpur, events including cultural performances, crafts display and food festivals of the NER region be showcased in other major cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad to generate wider interest on the NE among the local population. He suggested that a logo bringing out the common links between Gujarat and the North-East be designed and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs), Song and Drama Division of the Information & Broadcasting Ministry besides the departments concerned of the State Governments be actively involved in various activities. A multimedia publicity campaign will be launched on March 1 to popularize the Madhavpur Mela. This will mark the cultural integration of Gujarat with the North-East under the ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ mission announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.

The Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat shares its connect to the Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmis traces their ancestry to the legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini and Lord Krishna. The festival celebrates the immortal journey which Rukmini undertook from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat with Lord Krishna. Bhismaknagar, located near Roing in the lower Dibang Valley district, also finds mention in Kalika Purana.

The week-long ‘Utsav’ will also see a vibrant cultural trail of art, dance, music, poetry, story-telling and folk drama from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and the other north-eastern States with the aim to integrate the rich cultures of the two regions, stated a PIB release.

Madhavpur Ghed, a small but culturally significant village, is the place where, according to folklore, Lord Krishna married Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka. Madhavpur lies on the seashore, close to Porbandar. A 15th Century Madhavrai temple marks the site. This event is commemorated by a cultural fair held every year, commencing on Ram Navami. A colourful chariot carrying the idol of Lord Krishna circumnavigates the village and the festivities usually continue for five days.

The Madhavpur Mela this year will witness magnificent folk cultural performances from the North East, especially Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Troupes from Assam will perform ‘Rukmini-Haran’, a popular folk theatre of the region. Musical troupe from Manipur will sing songs related to Rukmini in the Khullong Ishei and Nat genre. Dance-dramas based on Rukmini-Krishna legends from Arunachal and Manipur and folk dances of the Idu Mishmi tribe from Arunachal will be part of the varied repertoire.

An exposition and sale of art and crafts of Gujarat and handloom and handicrafts products from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other north-eastern States will be part of the event. A visual art exhibition on Krishna and Rukmini will be the main attraction. It will be put together by different institutions of the Ministry of Culture like the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya highlighting the variegated legends of Krishna and Rukmini.

Also Watch: Focus on CAA 2019 not on forming a New Political Party, urges KMSS Leader Dharjya Konwar