Two-day festival on northeast culture begins on Thursday

PUNE: The city will host a festival 'Cultures of Peace', on the northeast India, highlighting not just the culture of the region but also dealing with some of its major issues.
The two-day festival that starts on January 30 will be held at the Women's Study Centre (University of Pune), Symbiosis College and Film & Television Institute of India (FTII).It will feature writings, music, film, theatre, media and photography of the region as an effort to build bridges, connect with the rest of India and to create awareness about the region.
Conceptualized and produced by Preeti Gill and Mary Therese Kurkalang, the festival is a collaboration between Delhi-based feminist-publishing house Zubaan, German developmental agency Heinrich Boell Foundation and organisers Khublei. The Assam Cultural Association, Pune has supported the programme. It is dedicated to Sharmila Rege, socialist and feminist scholar-author who passed away in July 2013 and Irom Sharmila, the 'Iron Lady of Manipur'.
Panel discussions organized in collaboration with the Women's Study Centre, will focus on human rights and women's issues in the northeast, Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The evening programmes, which will be held at the Symbiosis Vishwabhavan auditorium on Senapati Bapat Road, will include a session with the authors from northeast and music by the Nagaland-based quartet, the Tetseo Sisters. Apart from a preview performance of 'Aayadan' directed by Sushama Deshpande, films from Tripura, Manipur and Assam will be screened in partnership with FTII. All events are open and free for all.
"The focus of the festival this time is on feminism and human rights issues. Pune was an obvious choice, as we have been closely associated with Sharmila Rege at UoP and also we wanted to reach out to the citizens of Pune after the episode of mass exodus of northeast people in 2012, following cases of violence against them in the city. We have tapped various students' organizations in the city and have received a welcoming response from the organizers and hosts," said Mary Therese Kurkalang.
After Pune, the festival will also be travelling to Mumbai and Guwahati.
Earlier editions of the festival have featured over 60 speakers, including writers, academicians, journalists, film-makers and social activists, besides featuring exhibitions showcasing different aspects of the northeast states and music and dance performances.