Bodoland Mahotsav concludes, brings with rich heritage, tourism and handloom craftsmanship to forefront

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 17, 2024

The first-ever Bodoland Mahotsav concluded successfully, following its grand launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 15 at New Delhi’s KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium. This two-day mega event celebrated the rich cultural heritage, tourism potential, cuisine, language, and handloom expertise of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), home to the indigenous Bodo tribe.

The festival also served as a platform for crucial discussions, including topics like “Challenges and Opportunities of Mother Tongue Medium through the National Education Policy 2020” and “Bodoland Mahotsav & Janjatiya Gaurav Divas,” with participation from industry experts and policymakers.

The Bodoland Mahotsav offered a glimpse into the vibrant traditions of the BTR, emphasizing its importance in India’s cultural mosai

The open discussion on “Challenges and opportunities of mother tongue medium through National Education Policy 2020” was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) president Dipen Boro, All Assam Students Union (AASU) chief advisor Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya, Bodo sahitya Sabha general secretary Nilo Kt. Goyary, Assam minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Bodoland territorial Region (BTR) chief Pramod Boro and Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu.

Another discussion session “Building of Vibrant Bodoland Region through tourism and culture” was attended by BTR chief Pramod Boro, Union Minister Pabitra Margherita and Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary.

“The Bodo Sahitya Sabha has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the language. Many initiatives have been undertaken to develop Bodo literature, improve literacy rates, and establish educational institutions that focus on Bodo language and culture. The continued promotion of Bodo in education is crucial for preserving the linguistic heritage of the Bodo community,” said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during his address as the chief guest.

“The Bodoland festival stands as a tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the identity and rights of the Bodo people. Without remembering their sacrifice, the celebration of our culture remains incomplete. It is their courage that has paved the way for the flourishing of our heritage. A tribe’s culture, rich in language, tradition, and history, defines its true essence. Today, we honoured both the past and the living spirit of Bodoland, for it is through their sacrifices that our culture thrives,” said ABSU president Dipen Boro and one of the organisers of the event.

The festival demonstrated the prestigious GI (Geographical Indication) journey of Bodoland’s treasures through handloom, food & beverage and musical instruments through a special stall area. Each product in handloom be it the Bodo Gamosa, Dokhona or Aronai held unique cultural significance and represented the deep artistry, craftsmanship and cultural identity of the Bodoland. It also displayed the GI traditional Bodo drinks, such as Zou Gishi, Zou Gwran and Jou Bidwi.

These beverages were crafted using age-old techniques unique to the Bodo community in the Bodoland Territorial Region and offer distinct flavours. Besides the traditional music items of Bodo community, Siphung, which recently bagged the GI tag, was displayed.

The Siphung has a unique design and produces a rich sound with six holes. “The Department of Handloom & Textiles, BTC, Kokrajhar participated in the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav to showcase our rich, age-old heritage of Bodoland through its handloom products.

“The event highlighted the unique, GI-certified (Geographical Indication) products, emphasizing our cultural significance and the craftsmanship of local weavers. We want to promote and celebrate the traditional handloom artistry of Bodoland on a larger platform, raising awareness and appreciation for these sustainable, heritage-rich textiles. Since the festival is in its first edition, we haven’t got much footfall of people from Delhi, but we are confident that in the years to come we will have much more awareness about the items from the Bodo community,” said Hiranya Devi, Assistant Director, H&T.

Day 2 of the Bodoland Mahotsov began with a solemn flag hoisting by Dr. Surath Narzary, president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, honouring the legacy of the Bodoland movement. The ceremony was a tribute to the Bodo martyrs who gave their lives for the region’s identity and rights. As the day unfolded, a grand cultural rally took place, symbolizing the unity and pride of Bodoland, stretching from Sai Indira Gandhi Stadium to the Delhi Secretariat.

During the evening, Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, and Dilip Saikia, MP, Loksabha inaugurated a grand cultural evening. Renowned singer Papon graced the Mahotsav with a captivating performance, enchanting the thousands of audiences with his soulful melodies.