The North East Writers’ & Artists’ Conclave (NEWAC), a mobile forum travelling through north east India, opened its Shillong Chapter at the Seminar Hall, State Central Library on Fri, 20th Jan, 2012. The Shillong Chapter was coordinated by Eric Nongkynrih, Assoc. Prof. (English), St. Edmunds College and was attended by both students and academicians, as well as established writers and published poets. There was book and poetry reading as well as short talks on the area of ones’ artistic interest or research. Some of the prominent participants were former politician with artistic repertoire R G Lyngdoh, Pankaj Thapa of Sikkim Govt College, well-known Poet Esther Syiem, Joshua Rynjah of St. Mary’s College, Compulsive scribbler Iamon M Syiem, Artist and Documentary maker Raphael Warjri, Independent Researcher Renee Lulam, promising Photographer Langkupar War and Engineer- poet Ibohal Ravi Kshetrimayum.
R G LyngdohThe North East Writer’s & Artists’ Conclave seeks to provide a platform for “creative expression” whereby artists in the field of literature, music, dance, theatre, film, photography, painting and other such forms of aesthetic and research-based academic endeavors may mutually enrich and motivate each other toward “universal creative realizations.” The movement kick-started on 22 Dec, 2011 at the 13th North East Book Fair in Guwahati and was attended by published writers and poets, whether students, bureaucrats or media persons, who spoke about their works and aspirations. The next conclave was held in Dimapur on 30th Dec, 2011, where various established and professional artists like musicians, writer-poets, film makers and other creative persons gathered for a heart-to-heart talk about their artistic gifting, social responsibilities and future collaborative possibilities.
The north east being a hot-bed of rich artistic talent, NEWAC seeks to harness the talent and put forth a united voice springing from artistic lives in the region. It is a selfless effort to promote the art and literature of the land and also to personally encourage artists to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. NEWAC, with the support of the people, hopes to work toward a “Shillong Art & Literature Festival” in the near future.
NEWAC is initiated by Susan Waten, Founder Director of Holiday Abode for Writers & Artists (HAWA), Dimapur and jointly organized and aided by Aiyushman Dutta, writer-activist and Founder Secretary of Quaint Essence, Guwahati.
The Open Platform kick started in Guwahati on December 22, 2011 at the 13th North East Book Fair. Writers and poets, journalists and photographers, students and research scholars participated by reading out their published/unpublished works and by interacting with those who responded to their presentations, says Dutta.
The Open platform reached Nagaland on December 30, 2011. Susan says, “Writers and artists from various disciplines gathered for a heart-to-heart interaction at the HAWA Office in Dimapur. Musicians, film makers, published writers, poets, painters and other creative individuals shared their inner most thoughts with the intention of moving towards universal creative realizations.”
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