Guwahati: ‘Lokmanthan’ is a journey embarked upon by ‘PrajnaPravah’, a nationwide intellectual movement rooted in Bharatiya ethos & traditions to seek cultural and traditional treasures of our country. Lokmanthan, 2022 will be held from September 21 to 24 at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati. Intellectual Forum for North East (IFNE) is the local organiser of this event and the event is co-hosted by Assam Tourism Development Corporation.
The first edition of the Lokmanthan was held in 2016 with its focus on ‘De-Colonising Indian Minds’. The theme of the second edition of Lokmanthan held in 2018 was ‘Bharat Bodh: Jan-Gan-Man’.
This will be the third edition of ‘Lokmanthan’ and the theme of the biennale colloquium is ‘Lokparampara’ (Lok traditions) which will emphasise on how Lok traditions have kept our cultural consciousness intact and strengthened our feeling of National Selfhood. ‘Lokmanthan’ is an occasion where artists, intellectuals and academicians from different parts of the country converge and brainstorm on the questions that haunt the society with an aim to reshape the narratives to prepare and lead the nation to play its civilizational role. Besides, the three-day event will have discussions, seminars, cultural events and exhibitions which showcase the rich diversity of the nation. ‘Lokmanthan’ is a cultural and civilizational response to such efforts and ideologies that see Bharat as a multiplicity of nations.
The formal Inaugural Session of the event will be organised at 10 AM on the 22nd September, 2022 morning at SrimantaSankardeva Kalakshetra. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice-President of India have kindly consented to be the Chief Guest of the event. The Inaugural Session will also be graced by Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Hon’ble Governor, Assam & Nagaland as the ‘Guest of Honour’, Popular leader of Assam, Dr. HimantaBiswaSarma, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam will also address the session as distinguished Guest.
The Inauguration of Exhibition and Cultural evening will be done at 5 PM on 21st September, 2022. The evening will be graced by Shri Bimal Borah, Honourable Minister of Industries and Commerce, Public Enterprises and Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, Maharaja LeishembaSanajaoba, Manipur & Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha, and the Shri TirthankaDasKalita, BoudhikPramukh AssamKshetra,Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. A Series of intellectual sessions are organised during ‘Lokmanthan’ which will be addressed by Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Tripura, Dr. RanojPegu, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Govt. of Assam and several prominent scholars across the country. Shri Arif Muhammad Khan, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, will be the Chief Guest at the Valedictory session on 24thSeptember. Eminent intellectuals, prominent artistes and academics will participate in various sessions.
Besides, the four-day event will have discussions, cultural events and exhibitions which will showcase the rich diversity of the nation. As an ode to this age-old magnificence of our culture, history, heritage and traditions, ‘Lokmanthan’ this year celebrates the beauty of Lokparampara with an exhibit of our traditional treasures entwined in the cultural practices of our communities. From exploring the way of life in a North Eastern household to art and craft, from Majuli’s mask making to Manipur’s SagolKangjei, from traditional musical instruments to folk music, from celebrating the icons of NER to revisiting the historical martyrs, ‘Lokmanthan’ this year is a tribute to the splendour of a vibrant ‘Bharat’.
‘Lokmanthan’ will also host three evenings filled with spectacular cultural performances. A spectrum of colorful folk-dance forms of North East like Wangala Dance of Meghalaya,Cheraw Dance of Mizoram, Sattrya, Bihu Dance of Assam, Hojagiri Dance of Tripura, Ao Warrior dance of Nagaland, Yak dance and ChinghiChaam dance of Arunachal Pradesh, DholChalam and Thangta dance of Manipur and many other dance forms will be presented by talented artistes across North East India. The cultural showcase will also present diverse dance forms across India such as Yakshagana, Jijhoti Dance etc.
Every evening from 21st September upto 23rd September, 2022, some of the most well-known musicians of the North East India such as Popular folk band of Manipur, MangkaLaihui, well known musical sisters of Nagaland, Tetseo Sisters, Popular musical icons of Assam such Neel Akash, Dikshu, Mayuri Dutta and Kalpana Patowari will grace the stage. Entry to the programme is free.
‘Lokmanthan’ is an attempt to connect intellectuals and practitioners working for the conservation of our cultural heritage. The programme is expected to create awareness about the Lok Parampara of the North East states of Bharat and celebrate the great historical legacy of India.
For a media briefing of Lokmanthan 2022 a Press Meet was held on 18th September 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Auditorium, SrimantaSankardevKalashetra, Guwahati. Shri J Nandakumar, National Convenor PrajnaPravahwas present along with Dr. Gargi Saikia Mahanta, Working President, Organising Committee, Lokmanthan2022 and Dr. Hirak Jyoti Sharma, General Secretary, IFNE. The press meet was hosted by Mr. Suranjan Dutta Joint Secretary, Lokmanthan2022.
