Toyota Hornbill Music Festival 2025 begins at Kisama

KOHIMA — Toyota Hornbill Music Festival 2025 – one of India’s biggest music festivals, was formally launched on Tuesday at Naga Heritage Village Kisama in the presence of Nagaland’s Tourism & Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along and officials from Toyota and Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA).

An update from the officials issued on Tuesday informed that the festival was launched by Tadashi Asazuma, Deputy Managing Director; Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd.; and Taisukhe Aoyama, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Tsusho India Pvt Limited by beating a gong.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Y. Vikheho Swu, Managing Director, Okusa Toyota, Nagaland, said that Hornbill Festival has evolved into one of India's most distinguished cultural phenomena, with Toyota Hornbill Music Festival emerging as a premier stage showcasing the finest music talent across the region.

“As of today, its growth and stature have brought international bands into our stage,” he said.

He acknowledged TaFMA under the chairmanship of Theja Meru for transforming the artistic landscape of Nagaland by creating robust platforms for musicians, cultivating professional ecosystems and championing excellence. Their dedication has been instrumental in promoting Nagaland as a formidable hub for contemporary and indigenous music, he said.

Swu also thanked Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, the visionary architect of the Hornbill Festival. His leadership has laid foundation for the festival, by not only preserving heritages, but also elevate contemporary artiste expression,’ he said.

He said that Hornbill Festival has grown into a dynamic culture, institutions that continue to inspire admiration across the world.

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He also thanked Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister, a driving force behind this festival.

He acknowledged the dedication of the Department of Tourism led by Tourism minister Temjen Imna Along for taking Hornbill Festival to new heights each year and attracts artists, audiences and collaborators from across the globe.

“Our association reflects our longstanding commitment to the people of Nagaland and our aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the cultural and creative advancement of the region,” Swu said.

Through this partnership, he said, ‘we affirm Toyota's core values- trust, innovation, and service to society. We are honoured to support the festival that not only celebrates the legacy of Naga people, but also amplifies the voice of a new generation of artistes’.

The launching programme was followed by performances from Rumac (Scotland), Drum Tao (Japan), Japan Junior Orchestra (Japan) and Agniva (France).

December 3 line- up:

Time: 5:00 PM (Unity Arena, Kisama)

-Novo (Assam)

-BoINN-Friends of the Mary Wallopers (Ireland)

-Mongdoll (South Korea)

-Trance Effect (Nagaland)