The second day of the Tribal Design Forum Bootcamp which is currently underway at The Heritage, Kohima, was centered around art, technology, tourism, and fashion.
A press release from TDF informed that the first session on Thursday commenced with a welcome address by Margaret Geneu, textile designer and founder of Woven Thread. This was followed by Vizovono Elizabeth providing participants with a historical and contemporary overview of Kohima, offering essential insights for those attending from other states. Angula Zoe Longkumar also shared her thoughts on the anthology of Nagaland.
In the second session, Arak M Sangma, a clay artist from Meghalaya and the founder of A Kakki Studio, showcased the Garos’ culture through clay. He presented a detailed explanation of the connection between Garos and clay, making the session engaging and creative through a workshop with the participants, the organisers stated.
The third session featured a presentation by architect Ankur Chandran from the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in Mumbai, on the topic ‘Forest in the Project,’ focusing on the Aarey Forest. Using augmented and virtual reality technology, participants were given a unique opportunity to experience the lifestyle, art, and culture of the Warli tribal community residing in the Aarey Forest of Mumbai.
After lunch, Gopal Krishnan from Dakti Craft, Meghalaya, presented on the Meghalayan Age project. He explained how design interventions and government support are economically empowering the tribal communities of Meghalaya through the Meghalayan Age project in Delhi, providing them with international representation.
Subsequently, a panel discussion on tourism was held, with participants including Veyielo Doulo from the Nagaland government’s Department of Tourism, Rida Goteph from Dakti Craft, Rohan K Abraham from India Trail, and Anupam Purti from Rumbul. The session was moderated by Dr. Anugrah Pandi. Panelists shared their views on sustainable tourism and design interventions, while Veyielo Doulo provided insights into the government’s efforts and plans for tourism in Nagaland. The panelists also addressed questions from the participants.
The second day concluded with a fashion show showcasing the ethnic collection of fashion designer Daniel Syiem, captivating the audience. The show was made even more special by the presence of Kuvelu from the Tetseo Sisters as the showstopper.
Read more: TDF Bootcamp commences; films based on tribal communities screened
