Drum Tao performing at Raj Bhavan Handshake Concert on December 3.
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 3
Celebrating culture and music, the 9th Raj Bhavan Edition of Handshake Concert was held at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima on December 3.
In his introduction, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland & Rattle & Hum Music Society, Abu Metha said that the Handshake Concert is a special project of the Rattle and Hum Foundation while highlighting that it has taken hundreds of musicians and artists in the last 15 years to different parts of the country and the world.
He said that these artists and performers from across the country have performed under the banner of the Rattle and Hum Music Society in international capitals in different continents, from America to Kuala Lumpur to Beijing to Shanghai to Bangkok to Seoul.
“The Handshake Concert has taken India, its culture and its heritage to create a better appreciation of this wonderful nation to the international community through art, music and culture”, he said.
Further stating that many of them have gone on to become big stars, he reminded that their foundations were rooted in the Handshake Concert with the full-fledged support, guidance and motivation from the Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio.
Also expressing that history has been written at the Raj Bhavan time and again, the Advisor acknowledged the Governor for opening the doors of the highest office of the state to the arts, music, and the performing fraternity.
He said that the governor’s support, encouragement and guidance is a huge motivation for the youngsters who are ambassadors not only of Nagaland, but of the country’s rich culture and heritage, and the vast diversity that India represents, and added that it was a privilege for artists, performers, and singers to take the stage and take brand Nagaland, Naga soft power, and Naga tradition to the global community.
Artists who performed at the Raj Bhavan Handshake Concert included Drum Tao, a world renowned Japanese percussion group founded in 1993, the Sao Mao Woisari Arts & Cultural Society that performed the Peacock Dance of Arunachal Pradesh, Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) under the North East Zone Cultural Centre, Naga Terries Band Head Hunters, Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band, Seyie Intrepid, Hentok Konyak, Mhasheseno, Nagagenous and Nagaland Conservatory of Music.
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio was the chief host, while Governor of Nagaland, Ajay Kumar Bhalla was the patron in chief, and Minister for Tourism & Higher Education was the host. Specials guests for the Handshake Concert were H. E Maya Tissafi, Ambasador, Embassy of Switzerland, India, H.E Kevin Kelly, Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland, India and honoured guests were Shyamala Ramanan, Business Head, Mia by Tanishq, H.E Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General, Embassy of Bhutan and Pankaj Agarwal, Independent Director, Bhikharam Chandmal.
