Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha and his wife seen with others during the opening of 'Creative Connections' at RCEMPA on Thursday. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 15
Against the backdrop of Mount Puliebadze, ‘Creative Connections’ (The Art Space) was formally inaugurated today on the occasion of World Art Day by Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland, Abu Metha at the Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts (RCEMPA) amidst dance, music and display of several artworks.
Speaking on the occasion, he remarked that artists anywhere in the world are leaders in their own right. “Artists don’t give speeches, they don’t lead governments, they don’t implement policies but they have enormous audiences,” he pointed out while stressing that they have the power to influence human beings, both young and old and also change people’s concepts.
Stating that to inspire, impact or influence are all attributes of leadership, he told artists gathered at the event organized by Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) that they are all leaders and that they have a role to play not just in the local community but across boundaries. He further said that with leadership comes responsibility. “We are an emerging people, a young race, small state in one corner of the globe and you, being leaders have the responsibility to carry the dreams and aspirations of our people beyond boundaries”, he added.
He urged them to tell our stories to the outside world through art, and “to carry a positive image of our people, our culture as we preserve our way of life for future generations.” Before the alphabet happened, human kind recorded its history and ways of life through art- drawings, paintings on cave walls, carvings on stones and rocks, he said. “Likewise, the artists of today will tell our stories hundred and thousand years on”, he added while reminding the artists of the responsibility that they have.
On the opening of the Creative Connections, he congratulated TaFMA for another wonderful initiative and expressed confidence that it will give further opportunities, vistas and avenues to the art community to continue expanding their imaginations. He dwelt on the power of the internet while stating that the reach of social media today allows every citizen to showcase their talents not just to local audience, but to the global community.
Towards this end, he said, “your works on social media be it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any of those platforms can reach millions in a matter of seconds. If you put in the hard work, to use the tools at your disposal in a positive way, there is no reason why you cannot convert your dreams into reality.”
Advisor TaFMA, Theja Meru noted that under the vision of the Chief Minister to make Nagaland a capital of music and arts, TaFMA, as a department is doing everything it can to grow the artistic ecosystem and to give attention to all the facets of art expressions be it music, fashion, dance, fine arts, etc. 'Creative Connections', he said is a long-felt dream of the artistic community especially for those in the fine arts.
“If you want to grow anything, we need a home, we need a family and so far, there has not been an official space where they can say ‘this is our space, this is where we work, this is where we live’, he shared on the opening of the Art Space.
He hoped that in the days to come, it would host not just the artists but dance practices, host residencies, exchange programs, art camps, etc.
He further noted that the artists should consider themselves very fortunate and lucky because they will be doing their artistic expression at the foothill of the enchanting and inspiring Puliebadze.
