North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) is set to host the 3rd edition of the national cultural festival, “Maati ke Rang” from January 13-17 at NEZCC complex, Dimapur. It is one of the biggest and first of its kind to be held in North East, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The aim of the festival is to bring together India’s culture diversity on one platform, aspiring towards national integration through art forms that bind the region together. This year, the event will witness international performing artists from Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh to share close ties which would foster higher forms of friendship through the bound of culture.
“Maati Ke Rang” provides a unique platform for young and old people of India to come together and share the message with each other. This year the festival aims to reach a higher level of cultural harmony by showcasing the distinctive knowledge of South Asia. The government of India has sponsored the event to promote and foster culture traditions of art, craft, music, dance and food which brings the message of the region they come from.
More than 600 artists from all over India would be performing in the cultural extravaganza. The government of India is expecting about 10,000 to 15,000 visitors everyday.
Highlights of the event include a mini marathon race for a “clean and healthy India” to kick off at 6 a.m. on January 13 from DC court junction to the event complex, organized by Anytime Fitness, Dimapur, as a part of Swacch Bharat Campaign.
Thematic pavilion (Aangans) will showcase various regions and people of India who will exhibit their arts & craft, dances and music. A national crafts exhibition and food mela would be a permanent feature for five days. Alongside, painting, sculpture and Bhuddhist exhibition North East articrafts exhibition would feature some of the best from the region.
Besides ethnic shows, the audience would also have a delight to witness music artistes We the Gaints, Alobo Naga & the band, Alo Wanth and Tali Angh from Nagaland. The bands will perform everyday from 1-3 p.m. from January 14-17. On January 16, national singers Amit Paul and Charu Semwal will enthrall the audiences from 6-8 p.m.
NZECC is also organizing Children’s Carnival for age group 6-15 years from January 14-17. There will be fancy dress and solo singing competitions daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The participants from across the country would be facilitated by seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZZCs) which were established in 1986 across India. ZCCs were prominent culture centers of the country with its objective “Unity through culture”. The main thrust area of ZCCs is not only to promote performing arts and culture but all other forms such as literature, cuisine, documentation and innovative ideas in the field of culture.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026