Hornbill Festival 2019 culminates with record attendance
Founder of KM Music Conservatory (KMMC), Dr AR Rahman signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Government of Nagaland for development of Music in the state. Nagaland CM, Neiphiu Rio who signed the MoU on behalf of TaFMA is also seen in the picture. (Photo Courtesy: @arrahman/Twitter)
The 20th edition registers 2, 82, 811 visitors – including 3015 foreign and 55,558 domestic tourists
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 10
The much-hyped 20th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2019 culminated today at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama with a total turn-out of 2, 82, 811 total visitors in ten days of festivity and cultural extravaganza, breaking all previous records.
Out of 2, 82, 811 visitors, there were 3015 and 55,558 foreign and domestic tourists respectively, while the rest, 2, 24, 212 were locals from Nagaland.
The attendance for all category of visitors – foreign, domestic and locals – have been broken, making it the most successful yet, in terms of turnout. (See table)
The 19th edition in 2018 registered a total of 2, 51,701 visitors - 2702 foreign, 37,397 domestic and 2, 11,602 local – and was considered a record.
On the last day (December 10), however, the festival registered only 28, 594 visitors with 89 foreign tourists, 2848 domestic tourists and 25, 657 local visitors, according to the figure provided by Assistant Director and Statistical-in-charge of Tourism Department, Nagaland, Toka E Tuccumi.
While attendance is usually high on last day, the impact of ongoing agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Bill cannot be ruled out for relatively lower attendance. With footfall of 76645, the eight day saw the highest turn this year.
Meanwhile, music maestro Dr AR Rahman graced the closing function in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Unity dance comprising of Naga cultural troupes was performed to mark the end of Hornbill Festival.
TaFMA, KMMC sign MoU
In a welcome move, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Government of Nagaland and KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) founded by Rahman for development of music in the state.
The MoU affirmed the commitment to continue empowering young people by developing art and music programmes through the knowledge exchange partnership.
“We are also delighted to announce the creation of an orchestral programme growing from the strength and vision of the Sunshine Orchestra, under the aegis of the AR Rahman Foundation to shape future musical leaders from Nagaland,” stated MoU which was signed by Rahman and CM Neiphiu Rio.
This MoU was signed in front of the capacity crowd amidst huge applause.
“A historic signing bringing together the youth of Nagaland and KMMC Chennai to create future musical leaders!," Rahman later tweeted.
Nagaland’s Advisor for Touris and Art & Culture Khehovi Yepthomi proposed vote of thanks.
Mentionably, the Hornbill Festival 2019 featured series of events from December 1 to 10 at The Naga Heritage Village Kisama and parts of Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Mokokchung and Dimapur districts.
Among the many highlights of the festival includes traditional Naga Morungs, exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts, Food Stalls, Flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley – songs and dances, Kohima Night Bazaar, Beauty Contest, Hornbill International Naga wrestling, Indigenous Games, Hornbill Music Festival, Hornbill Marathon, Motor rally, choral contest, etc.
Cultural troupes from 17 tribes performed songs, dances, indigenous games, rituals throughout the ten day festival at Kisama.
Hornbill visitors over the years
Year Attendance
2013 1,62,318
2014 1,72,404
2015 243,113
2016 1,12,604
2017 2,43,214
2018 2, 51,701
2019 2, 82, 811
