A sunny morning ensconced by an atmosphere of excitement and spirited revelry welcomed the visitors of the three day-long Anthurium Festival held at the mini sports complex in Lengpui from the 1st of October.
The festival, organized by the State government to promote tourism and to encourage anthurium cultivation in Mizoram by reaching out to the younger generations, is gaining fame as one of the most prominent festival held in the North-East. It was inaugurated by the Governor of Mizoram, Lt. General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma and chaired by the Secretary, Tourism Department Lalremthanga.
Bamboo day was also celebrated, to encourage artisans and to promote awareness about traditional bamboo works. A number of stalls displaying wonderful bamboo work, from jewellery to furniture and hats decorated with anthurium blossoms were popular with the crowd. Anthurium blossoms of different varieties and colours were displayed, showcasing the myriad varieties of the blossom like the Black Queen, New Green, Xavia, Eline and so on.
The programme included a whole host of events, from traditional dances to music performances by popular Mizoram singers.
The programme started with the Cheraw, a dance to celebrate
The Anthurium Girls, dressed in different costumes for different days were show-stoppers, with ingenious designs incorporating anthurium flowers.
Fashion shows and costume displays, music festivals and dance performances by urban dance crews were more highlights of the festival. Another crowd-puller was the variety of delectable food stalls. Many types of traditional Mizo dishes, as well as other cuisines, left people satiated.
There were events catering to all visitors. Along with the cultural performances, a carnival was also set up with many games on offer for visitors to try their luck. Darts, card games, and other innovative games which involved bringing down a tower tins with softballs, kept the crowd amused. The stakes remained at Rs.10 for one attempt and the winner took all.
Photo opportunities were plenty as the graceful and synchronised dances offered many good frames and the dancers too were more than happy to oblige. Dressed in their customary attire the performers posed gladly for cameras.
Mizo history is a rich treasure-trove of knowledge, and it is important to note the fact that a largely oral way of disseminating traditions (of the pre-colonial time before the missionaries kept written records) still exists. The festival has potential to become one of the most popular festivals of the North-East and this is possible with consistent efforts on behalf of both the State and Central governments, and the people have already shown their enthusiasm in participating in showcasing their proud heritage.
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