TaFMA Excellence Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Arts and Entertainment

(Report by Intern: Idaizeule)

KOHIMA — The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, presented the TaFMA Awards 2025 to 10 outstanding individuals and groups from Nagaland, recognizing their remarkable achievements in arts and entertainment.

Also read: Beyond Hornbill Festival: Nagaland seeks to strike a new chord

The Award ceremony took place at RCEMPA, Jotsoma.

Here is a full list of awardees:

•      The Winner of Ultimate Achiever of the Year was presented to Hito Kiho, Director of The Nagaland Madrigal Singer. He was presented with the Toyota Glanza sponsored by Okusa Toyota, Dimapur.

• Arenla Subong: Filmmaker, Playwright & Musician, Mokokchung, and winner of the Best Feature Film award at the 5th Nawada International Film Festival, 2024.

• Fifth Note: Progressive Rock Artistes, Kohima, and winners of the highly acclaimed Ticket to Hornbill, India's Biggest Band.

• Ruopfuzhano Whiso: Miss Universe India 2024- 4th Runner Up, Model & Entrepreneur, who made history by becoming the first contestant from Northeast India to enter the Top 5 at Miss Universe 2024.

• Trance Effect: Alternative Rock Band, who represented India on the global stage by becoming a Top 16 finalist at the 2024 Gwangju Busking World Cup Festival in South Korea.

• The Nagaland Madrigal Singers: Choral Ensemble, who won two Gold Medals at the 13th World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand.

• Lenen Jamir: Vocalist & YouTube Breakthrough Artiste, who became the first artist from Nagaland to cross 10 million views on YouTube with her popular music video 'Itaya Nungu'.

• Tiameren Aier: Musician, Music Composer, and creative mind behind 'Itaya Nungu'.

• Bendang Walling: Theatre Director & NSD Alumnus, Mokokchung, and recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar Award for Theatre Director in 2024.

• Alobo Naga: Singer-Songwriter & Cultural Ambassador, Dimapur, and winner of Best Regional Song/Album at the Clef Music Awards and Best North East Artist at the Hungama Music Awards.