Silchar, March 12: The many colours of Mizo traditional life will come alive at the two-day state festival, Chapchar kut, beginning tomorrow.

The main function to celebrate the festival, which marks the advent of spring, has been sponsored by the Mizoram government. It will be inaugurated by Union minister in-charge of Northeast C.P. Thakur tomorrow at the Assam Rifles here.

Director of information and public relations L.R. Sailo said the highlights of the festival include a handicrafts exhibition, food stalls serving traditional Mizo cuisine and soirees.

There will be programmes featuring Western music too, he said. The main attraction would be programmes featuring folk dances of the state, including Chai, a community dance associated with the Chapchar Kut festival. Chapchar Kut is actually a three-day festival. The first day is marked by Chhawnghnawh, a feast exclusively arranged for children and young people. The second day is called “Zupui Ni”, when Mizo rice beer called “Zu” is served. The final day, called “Zu Thing Ni”, is reserved for the adults, where liquor is served.

Handloom expo: In order to make the weavers aware of the forthcoming colour trends, a special pavilion titled “Colour trend forum 2003-04” will be set up at the National Handloom Expo, 2003, at Judges’ field in Guwahati, says our reporter.

Union minister for textiles Kashi Ram Rana will inaugurate the expo on Friday.