WHO AM I? The question always crosses everyone’s mind. Searching for one’s identity, we endeavour to portray ourselves with fashion, religion, caste, community, but at the end we still cannot satisfy ourselves with any one definition of identity. Throughout our culture, there seems to be an identity crisis. All may be correct to define their identity, right in their own opinions. But still, the question remains, “Who am I?”
What factors are place behind the struggle for identity? You could say it takes a wild imagination to picture a truly open global society; one where freedom of expression and democracy are paramount, and where no one holds a monopoly, then these terms like marginalization and alienation would not be applicable. But in practicality it is tough to achieve, especially in such as the North Eastern region of India, where the cultural landscape is characterized by several ethnic groups, where social responses, with varying degree of differences emanate from ethnic value-systems.
The first part of the special issue of Art & Deal Magazine looks upon on issues of identity and marginality in Northeast India and its challenges which are reflected through visual culture. As we know, the various ethnic communities of the hills as well as of the plains of North East India have gone through an identity crises, because perhaps of their physical appearance, geographical location, different dialects, socio-cultural life styles, visual art etc.
Decades of marginalization and unrest seek release, they channelize expression through songs, visual arts, proverbs and plays. They aid set free the tension and inspire people to unify in their struggle against the otherness. The question now rises; does marginal visual culture correspond with some of the definitions of subaltern?
North East India is blessed with beautiful landscapes, surreal topography, hence it is naturally an ideal setting to unleash creativity, develop and practice for an artist. Art & Deal presents two special issues on the Visual Culture of North East India and the contributions made by the various authors will take us through the visual world of North East India. This Issue presents extensive information on the arts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. The scholarly contributions made by Abhilasha Pandey, Rishav Gandhar Narzary, Preeti Kathuria,Anirban Dhar, Amphu Therangpi, Rahul Majumder, Dr. Meinam Irikhomba Meetei, Dr. Priti, C Nartiang, Rahul Bhattacharya and Anurekha Deb, will indeed be a catalyst for the rest of the world to get familiarized with more about the visual art and culture of North East India. Working as Guest Editor for these special issues was a great experience for me. I am honored as well as excited to share the beautiful visual culture of North East India through Art & Deal Magazine. I am thankful to Siddhartha Tagore, Editor, for providing me the platform to present the Visual Arts of North East India to the rest of the world. Lastly, but not the least I would like to thank Prashanta Seal, Creative & Production Head, Art & Deal who so patiently helped me throughout.
Hope all enjoy the issue and look forward to the Second Part of our dialogue on the arts and culture of North East India.
Dr. Meghali Goswami
Santiniketan, 2019
