Shillong, Feb 22: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday unveiled the commemorative artistic mural and plaque, inaugurated the refurbished U Soso Tham Auditorium and flagged off the Museum on Wheels.
While congratulating the Arts & Culture department for depicting the flora and fauna and the different cultural aspects of the state in the artistic mural, the chief minister said that the mural not only enhances the aesthetic look of the place but would serve as a tourist attraction and help tourists and people understand and know the state better.
He also added that the U Soso Tham auditorium is an important place to host government and cultural programmes but it had not been renovated and refurbished in the past years. “It is a matter of pride that now we will be able to provide world class facilities in this refurbished auditorium,” he said.
The chief minister also informed that work is in progress to renovate and upgrade auditoriums at Tura and Jowai and other district headquarters in a phased manner.
He also informed that the Shillong International Centre of Performing Arts and Culture (SICPAC) at Mawdiangdiang is also at the final stages of completion.
The chief minister called upon all to maintain the assets in the state central library and other places of the state with a sense of ownership and belonging.
The chief minister and other dignitaries also released a number of books pertaining to statehood and culture of the state.
Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, Minister, Arts & Culture, Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary, R V Suchiang, Principal Secretary, Shakil Ahammed and Commissioner & Secretary, Arts & Culture, Federick Roy Kharkongor were also present.
Later, a panel discussion on ‘Public Art’ was held, moderated by Jerry Lucius Pyrtuh and the panelists were Afree K Khyriem, Mario Pathaw, Careen J Langstieh Raphael Warjri, Naphisabiang Khongwir, and Frederick D Hynniewta.
The wecome gate
Earlier on January 21 last year, the arch-gate to the library was inaugurated by A L Hek, former Arts and Culture Minister
The artistically depicted drums at the apex of the gate are to herald and usher in people to the treasure trove of natural and cultural heritage. The totemic figures on both sides of the posts of the arch-gate reflect the myths and legends of the tribal people of the state.The binary canopy of the ‘Knup’ signifies the providential protection of the original resources and vividly articulates the roots of ethnic tradition.
Features of mural
The relief sculpture mural was done by Riti Academy of Visual Arts with the support from Arts and Culture department.
In a statement, Raphael Wrjri of Riti Academy said the state’s rich cultural wealth is depicted through the sculptural mural that comprises the native resources bestowed by nature and its inhabitants.
The various components in the mural consist of the primary elements of the land and its people while capturing the unique ethnic ingredients of the intrinsic tribal culture. The floating assemblage of cloud formations in the horizon signifies the abode of the clouds, the indigenous bioengineering of the living root is singularly spectacular and prominently depicted at the center. The age-old traditional system of ecological conservation of sacred groves, the cascading waterfalls which are all richly interwoven with fascinating legends and folk tales, the exotic caves, and caverns which hold distinction among the best known natural caving systems of the world; and various other prominent characteristics which signify Meghalaya are portrayed and distilled in the mural, he said.
The traditional methods of cultivation in both the hill slopes and the plains signify prosperity and sustainable livelihood, the watchtower hut ‘Borang’ of the Garo Hills region and the megaliths ‘Mawbynna’ of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region are depicted along with the respective customs and traditions of hill tribes. In the foreground, perched prominently are the clouded leopard-the state animal, the state flower -the lady’s slipper and pitcher plants that are endemic to the region and which is spread over the diverse contours & topography amidst the sprawling meadow as the haven of pastimes and festivities. The perilous cliffs and steep cobbled stairways astride the peripheries of the all-pervasive limestone regions of the state surrounded with soothing vegetation and precarious rocky facade, Warjri said.
Furthermore, the everyday tribal life is depicted across the landscape, showcasing tribal people in traditional attire at the hilltop and a hardworking maiden ferrying the Khasi mandarin oranges to signify the harmonious coexistence between human and nature in consonant with other creatures within the bosom of mother earth, Warjri added
