From Bamboo Dance to the Snow Lion! Northeast India's Colorful Culture to Come Alive in Jaipur for 4 Magical Days
Have you ever witnessed Nagaland's fierce war dance or Mizoram's mesmerizing bamboo dance live? Jaipur residents won't have to wait long. As October begins, the Pink City is set to become a vibrant showcase of Northeast India's rich heritage, drawing together eight states under one roof.
Ananya soch: The rich folk culture, classical dance forms, music, traditional attire, crafts and cuisine of Northeast India will come alive in Jaipur from October 1 to 4. Organised by the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, under the Union Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), the four-day "Octave 2026" festival will feature cultural performances every evening starting at 7 pm.
Governor Bagde to Inaugurate the Grand Event
Dr Ashwin M. Dalvi, Director of the West Zone Cultural Centre, said the inauguration ceremony will be held on the evening of October 1, with Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde as chief guest, while Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will preside over the function. RIC Director Nihal Chand Goyal will also be present on the occasion.
Eight States, One Stage: A Cultural Melting Pot
The festival will bring together the cultural richness of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Assam's Bihu dance, Nagaland's traditional war dance, Meghalaya's Wangala and Mizoram's famous bamboo dance "Cheraw" will be among the major highlights. Manipur's traditional martial art "Thang-Ta" and its religious-cultural tradition "Lai Haraoba" will also captivate audiences.
Classical Dance Forms Take Centre Stage
On October 2 and 3, the Manipuri Ras dance, based on the divine love of Radha-Krishna, will be performed, while October 3 and 4 will feature Assam's renowned classical dance form "Sattriya." Sikkim's "Snow Lion Dance," known as Singhi Chham, and Tripura's Hojagiri dance will also enthrall visitors during the celebrations.
Traditional Attire and Craft Bazaar Add Colour
An Ethnic Costume Show will be held on October 1 and 2, showcasing the traditional attire and jewellery of all eight northeastern states. Alongside this, a craft bazaar will run daily from 11 am to 9 pm from October 1 to 4, where visitors can also savour vegetarian delicacies from the Northeast.
Grand Finale with Nagaland's Rock Band
The festival will conclude on October 4 with a performance by Nagaland's popular rock band "Divine Connection." Prior to this, a two-day seminar will be held on October 1 and 2, where 12 scholars from across the country will discuss the art and culture of Northeast India, coordinated by Professor Santosh Kumar of Sikkim University. Additionally, a painters' camp, supported by the Lalit Kala Akademi, will begin from September 28.
