Culture for PEACE held in new Delhi
: New Delhi, January 29, 2010
Memories and true stories of a war torn land, feasibility questions of a separate parliament for North Eastern region, progressive thoughts on bringing the different tribes of closer to each other, border and immigrant disputes, North Eastern region’s history neglected in Indian Education system, militancy and the hopes of peace,- it was all in the air throughout the days of 28th and 29th January 2011 in India Habitat Centre, New Delhi where a series of workshop called CULTURE FOR PEACE: A FESTIVAL OF THE NORTHEAST was held.
With several noted writers, journalists and social activists coming together with a lively young audience, the programme centered on the theme of how writing and culture can contribute to creating an atmosphere that is conducive to peace in the region. An attempt to combine literature, academic work and creative writing by bringing together people from different states of the region got huge response from the people, with the hall and the amphitheatre being almost full all the time.
While eminent writers and journalists like Subir Bhaumik, Sanjay Hazarika, Meenakshi Ganguly , Temsula Ao, Ananya Guha, Pradip Panjoubam recounted from their experience the very difficult role of writers in representing violence to bring peace, their views on the armed struggles and the infamous and draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Mitra Phukan, Mamang Dai, Mona Zote, Reeta Chaudhury and Bijoya Sawian argued and opined about the different cultural forms of expression taken by writers of the region. The sessions were well moderated by Padmashree awardee Urvashi Butalia, historian Uma Chakravarti, Journalist Nilanjana Roy and provided lively sessions for the audiences who were ready with debates and questions all the time.
The second day saw the lively discussion of “confronting the Past, Imagining the Future” headed by Sanjoy Hazarika and Laxmi Murthy, focusing on how the region sees its future with India. It was followed by readings from Irom Sharmila’s recently published “Fragrance of Peace” by Haripriya Soibam (including a performance by Rojio Usham based on Irom Sharmila’s poetry) and readings by creative writers and poets from the Northeast such as Monalisa Chagkiya, Uddipana Goswami, Mitra Phukan, Mona Zote, Aruni Kashyap, Nitoo Das, Anurag Rudra, Omar Sharif and many more. The day ended with a spectacular music concert by Soulmate, from Shillong, who is considered one of the top blues band in contemporary music world.
The programme also inlcuded an exhibition SEVEN SISTERS AND THE CITY, by Uzma Mohsin. The two day session was organised by Zubaan Heinrich Boll Foundation and it would be noteworthy to mention that Zubaan has been long been involved in publishing writers from the Northeast, the most recent publication being a collection of poems by Irom Sharmila, to mark the 10th anniversary of her fast.
