Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Nov 8: The 2nd edition of Arunachal Literary and Art festival got underway at the IG Park here today with a slew of bustles including children’s activities, book reading, poetry and painting marking the opening day.
Attending the inaugural function, SP (SIC) M Harshavardhan applauded the tremendous efforts made by the ALAF team in providing the youths of the state a platform of their own through the festival, and also encouraged it to up its work and influence in the years to come.
The opening session also saw various installations like ‘River of wisdom’ made from 2510 bottles recycled into flowers and ‘Public Discourse’ conveying message of group solidarity.
‘Katam’ by local author Tumbom Riba ‘Lily’ which tells stories of ‘Abo Tani’ ‘Ane Pinku Pinte’ and ‘Quesadilla and other adventures’ ‘an anthology of food poems’ by Somrita Urni Ganguly were launched during the fest.
Speaking about her book and the fest, Riba emphasized on the “cultural change” we are now facing. She stated: “We are on the verge of a great loss in culture and local identity. It is in this backdrop the need for books, literature, art and such festival concerning and involving the youths come into play.”
Later in the evening, a poetry “confluence” was held wherein many poets came up with issues as big as environmental problem and on something that we usually never give a second look to like ‘rag-pickers’.
The gathering also witnessed special poetry by Madhu Raghavendra, whose rendition of three poems on the feelings of love and hate kicked the gut with a resonating familiar blow. All the participating poets later took the stage to perform a collaborative piece of poetry on polygamy.
The much awaited musical performance by Baba Phu Ning Ding whose rendition of songs with a four stringed Khasi and Jaintia folk musical instrument ‘Duitara’ closed the evening session and the first day of ALAF.
Organized with the collaboration of the Department of Tourism, GoAP, the fest saw the attendance of various artists and writers within and outside the state, children, youths and elderly alike.