To preserve and uphold the rich Ao Naga cultural folk songs and dances, a Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra (GSPK) was inaugurated at Chuchuyimlang under Mokokchung district on Tuesday.
A press release though the Chuchuyimlang Village Council informed that while delivering the inaugural speech, chairman of the council, Ao Sanen Pongen appreciated the ministry of culture government of India for introducing and funding the Guru Shishya Parampara (centre for learning culture) scheme to preserve the rare and vanishing art forms of tribal societies across India.
In this regard, the Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra would also act as a medium in transmitting the valued cultures and traditions to the upcoming and respective generations.
Pongen said that while certain art forms could be preserved through documenting, it was more important to open Kendras/centres to preserve and transmit the rich folk songs and dances to young talented children.
He also said that such centres would be a vital source of awareness for the younger generation as without such awareness centres, the rich cultural values were bound to vanish.
He opined that when people from different cultural backgrounds lived in a globalised society in the modern day, their rich diverse cultures were likely to become homogenous and that opening of centres such as the Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra was crucial.
He encouraged Guru Chubatozung and his team to strive in preserving and promoting the rich Ao Naga folk songs and dances as envisioned by the ministry of culture.
It may be mentioned that Guru Chubatozung was selected recently by the ministry through North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur as guru (teacher) and to establish the Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra for training young people to preserve the Ao Naga cultures.
He would be assisted by Tsukjemtoshi as accompanist and train four Shishyas (disciples/students) per session.
The inaugural programme included opening prayer by T. Lima Pastor, welcome address by Guru Chubatozung while accompanist Tsukjemtoshi highlighted the norms and functioning of the Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra centre.