The Arunachal Literature & Art Festival (ALAF) – The Prelude got underway to an overwhelming response from lovers of art and literature at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar on Saturday.
The inaugural day witnessed a huge footfall of art lovers who flocked the venue to have glimpse of the works of local artists of the likes of Jene Hai, Gyamar Nanam, Rinchin Choden, Kenjum Angu, Takam Harming, Zarjo Bengia and Bhanu Tatak, whose creations were exhibited in the art exhibition.
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The book fair at the festival venue also drew a considerable number of book lovers to the stalls.
Publishing houses like Tulika Books, Teri Press, Kalpravirksha, Sahitiya Akademi, and home publisher Potigarh of Naharlagun have put up their stalls in the book fair.
Inaugurating the festival, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said the State Government is committed to extend support and help in promoting arts and literature.
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Stressing on the importance of arts and literature, the Mein said that there is an urgent need to promote art and literature and the habit of reading.
He also urged the parents to encourage their children to read books.
Addressing at the inaugural event, Tourism Secretary Sadhana Deori apprised that the main objective of the festival is to introducing indigenous artists, writers and poets to a larger audience.
Also addressing at the inauguration, celebrated author and Sahitya Akademi awardee Y D Thongchi exhorted the youth to ‘shoulder the responsibility’ of preserving art and literature.
A panel discussion on the opening day themed ‘Indigenous Traditions: Continuity & Convergence’, moderated by Prof Jumyir Basar of Rajiv Gandhi University’s Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, saw the participation of Sarit Kumar Chaudri of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Karbi activist D S Teron, linguist Lisa Lomdak of the University, and cultural activist Moji Riba.