Monday, 21 April 2014

Anthurium Festival

Anthurium Festival

Anthurium festival of Mizoram is the most popular festival celebrated in the state. This festival is celebrated to promote tourism. The Anthurium Festival is organized annually by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Horticulture Department. The financial support comes from the Central Government. The dual purpose of promoting anthuriam kut mizoramthis festival is; promoting the cultivation, marketing of the enthralling flower and attracting more tourists to the scenic beauties of Mizoram The festival is held every year in September at Tourist Resort Reiek. The festival falls during the peak season of the beautiful and exotic Anthurium. The festival is a three day extravaganza of culture, music, dance, games, sports, fashion, handloom, handicrafts and local cuisine. Archery, rifle shooting, and angling competitions are also major features of this festival. The Festival is held at Reiek Mountain, which is situated at a height of 1584 meters and is an hour drive from Aizawl. The Reiek Mountain is surrounded by thick lush green temperate trees and bushes. The mountain boasts the legendary work, folk lores and feats won by Mizo chief. The mountain acted as a hunting preserve for the Mizo chief. The spirit of celebration rejuvenates the mind and the body, and takes away the stress and monotony of daily life. This festival also serves as a main purpose of bringing togetherness among the different tribes in Mizoram. Anthurium festival showcases the past and present Mizoram with entertainments and also promotes the Mizo culture. The festival has attracted domestic and foreign states to the beauty and culture of Mizoram.

Chapchar Kut

Chapchar Kut is named after bamboo that has been cut and is drying. This agricultural festival is celebrated before planting begins. The festival is celebrated in the month of March. Cheraw or the bamboo dance is a big part of the festival. Different styles of dance performances take place amidst beats of drums. Art, handicrafts, concerts, flower shows, and cuisines also play a major part of this festival. Towards the end of February, the Mizos prepare the land for fresh planting. After the planting, a few days of relaxation are followed before the serious business of sowing.  The Chapchar Kut festival is celebrated during this relaxation period with merriment and enthusiasm.

chapchar kut mizoramOn this day people of all ages, young and old, men and women get dressed up in their colorful costumes. Distinguishing head gears and jewelries are paired with the traditional colorful dresses. Various folk dances and traditional songs are accompanied by beating of drums, gongs and cymbals. They dance in blissful celebration of life, each team displaying the preeminent of its region. Some dances are firmly martial dance performed by warriors with their weapons and trophies. Bamboo dance is another feature which is performed with the help of long bamboo staves. Bamboo dance is considered as the most colorful and distinctive dance of the Mizos and this dance form requires skill and an alert mind. Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chai and Sarlamknce performances performed during this festival.

The ceremonies are accompanied by a feast. Friends from nearby villages are invited to this feast and Khuallam or the welcome dance is performed to greet the visitors and guests. Exhibition and sale of native Handloom and Handicraft products are organized during the festival.  Other tourist attractions like flower show, food festival, music competition and different traditional games are also organized during the festival.

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