RONO HILLS, Nov 20: Speaking at the valedictory event of the two-day dialogue on intangible heritage organized at the Rajiv Gandhi University’s Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS), noted poet and author Mamang Dai said that the culture of any community is in a complex process of evolution and there is bound to be cultural change. 
“We have to accept this fact and understand that culture cannot grow if it is frozen or mummified. What we need to do is understand this process and find ways of how we can retain a sense of continuity,” she said.
Participating in the discussions on the ‘way forward’ for retention of indigenous culture, former Vice Chancellor of RGU and founder Director of AITS Prof Tamo Mibang said that there have been many initiatives taken by both the University and the Government in regard to the promotion of cultural practices, but it was seen that there were not many takers. “It is important that communities themselves come forward and engage with the University and government for these initiatives to be successful”, he said.
Prof Sukrita Paul Kumar spoke at length about the need to include culture and folklore into the curriculum to make younger generation more aware about their culture and identity. She also suggested that a mentorship programme be initiated with the traditional practitioners as mentors, which should include curriculum based participatory learning.  
Nerupama Modwel, Director  at INTACH stressed the need to create a network of community resources which could evolve into an organic database and said that the primary challenge is about how to get the youth interested in the discourse on cultural heritage and suggested that promotion and creating awareness was key to achieve this. She expressed much satisfaction at the outcome of the deliberations and shared that INTACH was very keen to collaborate further with AITS on taking forward the dialogue. Referring to the State Cultural Policy proposed to be formulated, she hoped that since the AITS is expected to spearhead the process, the outcomes of this dialogue would find reflection in the policy. 
Elaborating on the process of the event, AITS Director Prof Simon John said that it was vital that the resource persons from the communities have participated and given inputs towards the recommendations to be formulated and said that the AITS would always offer its platform for more initiatives like this.  
Recognising that there are fault lines that exist in the practice and continuity of the intangible cultural heritage of the tribes in Arunachal, the community participants in their deliberations called for tangible measures to be taken in order to bridge the generational disconnect that exists in regard to transmission of heritage. For this, it was proposed that a Centre for Traditional Knowledge Systems and Skills Development be set up by the government that would engage artisans and performers to impart training in various forms of folk expression. This Centre would create academic content and offer various vocational courses on traditional arts and crafts. 
Earlier in the day, the event witnessed interactive sessions with weavers, indigenous chiropractors and beads-and-accessory makers, along with a performance by a Galo cultural troupe. During these sessions, which were moderated by Zilpha Modi, Dr. Tarun Mene and Dr. Lienzang Zeite of the AITS, live demonstrations of weaving, indigenous chiropractice and bead-making were also carried out. 
The two-day colloquium concluded with the distribution of certificates to the Community Resource Persons and a moving rendition of two of her poems by Prof. Sukrita Paul. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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