2nd Edition of Nagaland Photography Festival at the Mandeville Garden, Purana Bazaar, Dimapur commenced on September 22.
Celebration of photography, art, music and good food!
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 22
The 2nd Edition of Nagaland Photography Festival organised by the Photography Club Dimapur (PCD) officially commenced here at the Mandeville Garden, Purana Bazaar, Dimapur in the afternoon of September 22.
Based on the theme, ‘Power of Image,’ the two-day festival will offer an exciting array of events for attendees to participate and witness in such as music, cosplay, photography workshops, food among many others.
During the inaugural programme, Ababe Ezung, OSD Transport, Government of Nagaland was as the chief guest along with Shelly N Sumi, wife of Niki Sumi, President of NSCN-K (Niki Group) as the special guest.
In his speech, Ezung mentioned how photography has evolved in Nagaland beginning from small studios where processing of photographs took considerable up to today where it has become readily accessible through smartphone devices. “Technology is growing so fast that we don’t know what will happen in the next ten years,” he said.
He also noted that as a profession, photography has the power and influence to change the lives for good or for bad. “A photographer and a photograph is mightier than the sword as it can bring peace, do good things or it can damage people’s lives, reputation so it is very important to be responsible,” he added.
Apart from these, he appreciated the efforts made by the PCD to bring people together through the festival and where not only people from Nagaland were participants of but from the rest of the country as well.
Earlier in the day, several workshops were conducted by representatives of Nikon and Canon at Circuit House, Dimapur. Another workshop is slated to be held the following day by Lumix for interested individuals.
In regard to the main festival, music performances have been scheduled to be held throughout the two-days by artists such as Meribeni Patton, the Timeless, Worngam, J Polland, Papersky, Keneisenuo, Lenen Jamir, Moko Koza and many more.
Several different stalls have also been set up at the venue featuring food, beverages, apparels, mini games, gadgets etc.
Speaking with one stall owner, Benny Odyuo who had pitched two of her outlets, Oui Chef and Fres Co. there shared that the festival was a time for her and her team to experience interacting with customers in a new setting. Her stalls served a variety of fresh beverages, sandwiches and other continental items.
“This is the first time we are participating in such an event as a business so it not only about profit making but knowing new people, team building and sharing our vision through good food,” she said.
Another person, Alang Longchlari who had set up her stall called, Naga Sister Closet hoped that, through the festival, people would get to know more about their business and what they have to offer. She mentioned that they have both an online and offline store and has been operating it for about a year now providing western and ethnic wear including electronic gadgets.
“This is a great opportunity for brand exposure as a small time, family-run business,” she noted.
As organisers, PCD President, Letminthang Kipgen underlined that the festival, as a first of its kind, was a time of celebration of photography, art, culture and the people of Nagaland in general. “All these come together to make it a wholesome event,” he said.
