Beyond Hornbill Festival: Nagaland seeks to strike a new chord

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hails rise from 'headhunters' to global artistes

KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said Nagaland must now emerge as a true "Land of Festivals" and evolve into a parallel "Land of Music."

Speaking at the TaFMA Excellence Awards 2025 held at RCEMPA, Jotsoma, Rio said, “We have come together to recognise our artistes who have excelled not only in our state, region, and nation, but across the world.”

The chief minister noted that although Nagas were once labelled as savages, head-hunters, and illiterate, they possessed innate wisdom. He said they celebrated festivals, sang songs for every occasion, and upheld rich cultural traditions that continue to unite the people.

While acknowledging that Nagas have some catching up to do in many areas due to the world’s rapid advancement, he added that there are still things they can share—music, arts, and sports.

Rio recalled that when he became chief minister in 2003, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Nagaland in September. Rather than seeking infrastructure support, the state government decided to request assistance for youth development.

He had asked Vajpayee to support the training of 50,000 Naga youth for employment opportunities, especially in music and sports. After studying the proposal, Vajpayee agreed to begin with 25,000 and promised more support if it succeeded.

However, elections were advanced the following year, and Vajpayee lost. With his departure, the vision for Nagaland lost momentum due to lack of financial backing.

Nevertheless, Rio said the state declared a "Year of Youth Empowerment" to promote music, culture, and the arts across various disciplines and skill youth for job opportunities.

Following this, the state celebrated tribal festivals across all districts through roadshows, during which the Music Task Force—now TaFMA—was established.

He shared that tribal bodies were asked to document everything—their shawls, dresses, patterns, motifs, designs, and traditional foods—though it was a challenging task.

Asserting that Nagaland was declared the “Land of Festivals” to make its people’s lives vibrant, he emphasised that without public and youth involvement, the government cannot make progress.

Rio noted that Nagaland now has around a hundred music institutions. Many musicians have trained abroad, returned with confidence, and are now running institutions and attracting more youth.

“This TaFMA Excellence Award is a celebration of our youth excelling in their disciplines. I’m very proud—you make us proud. You bring honour not just to yourself and your family, but to the state and the nation. This is nation-building,” he said.

Also read: Nagaland: 11 receive TaFMA Excellence awards

He also asserted that Nagaland is ahead of many Indian states—not just in the Northeast—in music and the arts.

The chief minister shared that in a few months, Nagaland will represent India as a major state. As a "Focus State," Nagaland has been asked to lead, with artistes scheduled to perform in Singapore and Russia—something that requires commitment and teamwork.

He expressed concern that although Nagas excel in showcasing their talents, consistency has often been lacking. However, he noted that today’s artistes are fully committed and view their work as a full-time profession.

Rio added that the Hornbill Festival has grown into an international event. He said the state’s trust and reputation come from its artistes, whose world-class performances in music and song have brought pride and attracted sponsors like Toyota and others.

He also acknowledged Grammy-winning legend AR Rahman, who, he said, loves the Nagas and has gifted the state a priceless grand piano. On behalf of the state, Rio expressed his gratitude for Rahman’s contributions and partnership.

He revealed that Rahman is seriously considering setting up a studio in Nagaland, adding that such an investment would help make the state a major destination for music and the arts.

The chief minister assured continued government support for the youth and expressed hope that they would rise even higher in the future.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, said that Nagaland’s music and arts industry has not only flourished but also helped elevate India’s image globally. He noted that both India and the world are now embracing the creative economy, and under the chief minister’s leadership, Nagaland is prioritising it—especially through music, arts, and culture.

TaFMA Chairman Theja Meru highlighted the progress made by artistes from the state.

On the occasion, the chief minister released the 25th Hornbill Music Festival Coffee Table Book and unveiled the grand piano gifted by Rahman. He also presented the TaFMA Excellence Awards and launched the music video Itaya Nungu.