Language is no barrier when it comes to expressing feelings. This was rightly proved in the Mizo film, ‘Khawnglung Run’ directed by Mapuia Chawngthu, that was screened at the recently concluded five-day Basudha Festival. Organised every year coinciding with Raja festival to celebrate womanhood and promote artists from all over the country, the festival in its third edition this year, conducted various events all over the city along with screening of films.
Inaugurated by Minister of Tourism and Culture Ashok Panda, the concluding day was graced by Minister of Health and Family Affairs, I&PR, Atanu Sabyasachi. Pradeep Kumar Jena, Commissioner, I&PR was the guest of honour for both the evenings. The functions on June 11 and 15 were full of glamour with music, dance and fashion shows.
Exhibition-cum-sale
Paintings in a variety of media by artists from different states were displayed as a part of an exhibition and sale. Some paintings were sold even in the price range of ` 5000- `10,000. There was a display of photographs from all over India. Subhankar Prasad Bharti from UP had an innovative concept of representing ‘Hunger’ through bread loaves while Assamese Amarjit Bormudoi held a workshop where he demonstrated his unique style of sketching caricatures at a go, putting the pen onto paper, and lifting it up only after it was completed.
Public Art
The city-dwellers were pleasantly surprised when Delhi-based traveling art group Art Kafism and the young artist Pramod from Chattisgarh created 3D art and 3D rangoli at Jaydev Bhawan and Kalinga Stadium respectively.
Film Screening
Around 12 films, including five in Hindi, six in Odia and one in Mizo were screened at the IDCOL auditorium as a part of the festival. While most films were short documentaries of 10 to 30 minutes duration, the Mizo film, which was the main attraction of the screening, was of 122 minutes.
Workshops, Artist Camps
Workshops were conducted for school kids at Indira English Medium School to encourage creativity and co-curricular activities among students, for a holistic development along with academics.