Umiam (Barapani), Meghalaya | The Madhy Dakshini Festival culminated successfully at Umiam in Meghalaya after their performances in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, here at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGS-AS). Students, faculty and family members enjoyed a mesmerising performance by eighty-six artists from Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. 

The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur in collaboration with the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, successfully organized the Bharat Ko Jano & Border Area Programme – Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 on 6 March 2026 at the The College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGS-AS), Barapani (Umiam), Meghalaya a constituent college of Central Agricultural University, Imphal.

The festival aimed to promote cultural exchange, national integration, and awareness of India’s rich traditional heritage, particularly by connecting the cultural traditions of South-Central India with those of the North-Eastern region.

The programme began with the arrival of the Chief Guest and dignitaries, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp marking the festival’s formal inauguration.

The gathering was warmly welcomed by Biswadeep Gupta, Managing Trustee of KRC Foundation and Chief Coordinator of the Festival. The dignitaries present at the programme included Chief Guest Dr. Puranjan Das, Former Deputy Director General (Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, and Guesushi Honour Dr. Manash Mahan Adhikary, Former Vice-Chancellor of Bidhanchandra Krishi Viswavidyalay, West Bengal.

The festival was hosted by Dr. Prashanna Gogoi, Director of North East Zone Cultural Centre, with co-hosts Oliver T. Porgen, Deputy Director, NEZCC, and Dipak R. Patil, Admin-cum-Accounts Officer of South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur.

A brief introduction to the initiatives and activities of NEZCC and SCZCC was presented to highlight the role of the Zonal Cultural Centres in preserving and promoting India’s diverse cultural heritage.

A major highlight of the festival was the choreographic cultural presentation titled “Kala Sangini: A Confluence of Dance Traditions of South-Central India with Live Music,” curated by Astha M. Karlekar, Director of South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, assisted by Maitreyee Bapat and Harsh Nilesh Gada.

The presentation featured vibrant traditional art forms from various South-Central Indian states, including Bonalu and Battukamma of Telangana, Bessu Kamsale and Devi Nritya of Karnataka, Gondhal and Jogwa of Maharashtra, Badhai and Norta of Madhya Pradesh, Panthi Nritya of Chhattisgarh, and a folk instrumental musical band from Chhattisgarh. The performance concluded with a powerful collective rendition titled “Vande Mantram” by all participating artistes.

The programme also showcased Khasi folk dance and music performed by a local farmers’ group from Meghalaya, reflecting the rich cultural traditions of the region. Dance performances were presented by students of Christ College and the host institution, The College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences.

Certificates of Participation were handed over to participants by dignitaries, along with the Director NEZCC and Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean of CPGS-AS.

The Vice Chancellor of Uttar Banga Krish Viswa Vidyalaya, Prof D. Basu, was also felicitated by NEZCC, who also graced the function.

 The Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 served as a meaningful platform for cultural dialogue, artistic collaboration, and strengthening the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”, celebrating the unity in diversity of India’s cultural landscape.