Celebrating the North East from 7-14 March 2006

An eight day cultural festival was organized by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Culture in association with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, National School of Drama, East Zone Cultural Centre, North East Zonal Cultural Centre, Directorate of Film Festivals, (I&B Ministry) and ITPO.

Octave 2006 is a festival showcasing the diverse and rich heritage of the eight states of the northeast. Approximately 600 artists of different streams of art forms, ranging from folk, tribal, traditional & contemporary music, dance and visual art participated in this eight-day cultural extravaganza.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the eight day festival on 7th March 2006 at 6.30 p.m. at the Hamswadhwani Auditorium, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Smt. Ambika Soni, Minister for Tourism and Culture presided over the function.

The “Call of the Bamboos”, an art exhibition was organized by Lalit Kala Akademi comprising of 68 exhibits from the North Eastern States. The Akademi published a colourful portfolio containing ten outstanding works of art. The exhibition was inaugurated by Smt. Neena Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Culture on 8th March 2006 at the Seminar Room, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.