Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio and others with awardees at Lok Bhavan, Kohima on February 2. (Morung Photo)
Awardees get Rs 5 lakh each
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 2
Four individuals and one musical group were on February 2 conferred the Governor’s Award 2025 for distinction in the fields of arts, music and literature at a formal ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Kohima.
Governor of Nagaland and Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla presented the awards, which carry a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each along with a citation.
Addressing the gathering, Bhalla said that the awards celebrate the creative spirit, cultural depth and intellectual vitality of Nagaland, adding that the recognition honours not only individual excellence but also the power of creativity to inspire, uplift and unite communities.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who attended the programme, later congratulated the awardees through a post on X and wished them continued success.
Secretary, Art and Culture, Bodeno S Colo said the Governor’s Award for Arts, Music and Literature was instituted in 2003 and has grown into one of the State’s most prestigious honours. She said the award recognises individuals and groups whose work has helped preserve, enrich and reimagine Nagaland’s cultural identity.
At the same time, she informed that the Department of Art and Culture is the nodal department and follows a systematic and transparent selection process, beginning at the district level under Deputy Commissioners and culminating in recommendations by the State Level Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Colo thanked Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, members of the State Level Committee, Deputy Commissioners and district-level committees for their role in selecting the awardees.
She said the 2025 awardees exemplify the strength and evolving nature of Naga culture across disciplines.
In arts, Mannyei Konyak of Mon district was honoured for his intricate craftsmanship reflecting the legacy of traditional Konyak sculpture across mediums. A self-taught artist from Longchang village, he began wood and stone carving in 2008 and later trained at Government Polytechnic, Kohima. His works include angel sculptures in memorial pillars at Mon town and Tobu. He is a recipient of the North East Zone Young Talented Artists Award (2016–17) and the State Entrepreneur Award (2022).
Also in arts, Guru Rarenbenba of Mokokchung was recognised for his lifelong contribution to preserving Ao Naga folk songs, dances and folklore. Recently appointed as Guru under the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme (2024) of the North-East Zone Cultural Centre, he imparts training to learners at Ungma village and actively composes traditional songs and hymns, including the album Tapu Medem. He has performed widely under programmes organised by the Art and Culture Department, NEZCC and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
In music, Colored Keys, a three-member band from Chumoukedima comprising Kehodi Yoho, Neikuo Khezhie and Kehepe Letro, was awarded for redefining contemporary Naga music through fusion of folk melodies with modern genres. Active for over a decade, the band has won several accolades including Nagaland Music Awards and has performed nationally and internationally.
Also in music, Moko Koza of Phek district was honoured for his pioneering multilingual rap blending indigenous rhythm with contemporary expression. His debut album Naga Manu (2022) fuses folk music with rap, while his career highlights include a Radio City Freedom Award for Best Hip-Hop Rap (2023), performances at major festivals, opening for international artist Sean Kingston in 2023, surpassing one million Spotify streams, and an appearance in Amazon Prime’s Paatal Lok Season 2.
In literature, Vishii Rita Krocha, poet, journalist and author, was recognised for her contribution to Naga literature and storytelling. Her works include poetry collections A Bucket of Rain, Yearnings and From the Broken Earth, folklore Tales from the Enchanted Village, and short stories Where the Light Finds Us. She has co-authored books published by PenThrill, Zubaan, Sahitya Akademi and Routledge. A journalist, her writings have appeared in leading national and regional publications. She is the founder of PenThrill, an independent publishing house established in 2013, which has published works of over 100 authors from Nagaland and neighbouring states.
The Department also thanked the Governor and the Chief Minister for their continued support in promoting the cultural landscape of the State.
