Mokokchung | December 7: This festive season heralds good news, or Good Tidings rather, for the people of Mokokchung as the Mokokchung District Art and Culture Council (MDACC) is all geared up to organize the much awaited M-Fest 2011 under the theme Good Tidings. M-Fest, or Mokokchung peoples’ festival, is scheduled to be held December 13-15, 2011 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung.
Major highlights of the three-day mega-event would include cross-border cultural exchange, various competitions, concerts, food and games stalls, book fair and of course the grand finale of the Naga Orpheus Hunt 2011.
The financial resources for the M-Fest 2011 are “totally MDACC generated,” according to the organizers. It is also claimed that there is “no direct state sponsorship involved, nor are there any corporate sponsors.” The organizers stated these during a press conference at the Same Old Place. The MDACC further claims that they do not believe in, and as such does not encourage, financial donations made by chief guests.
The purpose of organizing the M-Fest 2011 is to “incorporate and celebrate the Christmas festivities under the theme ‘Good Tidings’ by way of inviting mass participation from the people of Mokokchung,” the MDACC states. Further, through this opportunity, the MDACC believes to improve cross-border relations with the neighbouring districts of Assam by way of cultural exchanges and interactions with civil societies.
Moreover, MDACC proposes to help create an environment for healthy entertainment at the same time promoting musicians, local entrepreneurs, artisans and professionals. MDACC also plans to make the M-Fest an annual affair in the month of December where the different activities during the festive season can come under the ‘M-Fest umbrella’.
M-Fest 2011 will kick-start on the 13th with a ‘Decorated 2-wheeler Christmas Rally’ to herald the advent of Christmas. The best decorated bike will be awarded with cash prize. Later in the evening, there will be the Open Christmas Beat Contest, arguably the first in Nagaland. A total sum of one lac rupees has been earmarked for the winners. Also, the night will feature the stand-up comedian Purneken on stage.
On the 14th will be the cross-border cultural exchange during which the Commissioner of Upper Assam Division, Iftikar Hussain will partake in the M-Fest. Hussain happens to be the brother-in-law of late Ashraf Ali, former principal of Fazl Ali College, Nagaland’s oldest college. Accompanying him will be members of the All Assam Students’ Union (ASSU) and Asom Jatiyadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Assam based media persons and leaders of the Assam-Nagaland Peace Coordination Committee. Also joining them are the Mati Akhora (Satriya Dance) and Nimaijan (Bihu Dance) cultural troupes from Jorhat, Assam and the Major Bari Gomrag (Meshing Dance) cultural troupe from Sibsagar, Assam. Sangtam Women Union Mokokchung and Kosasanger Cultural Club, Chuchuyimlang village will be the local cultural troupes for the exchange.
On the evening of the 14th, besides the beat contest, national winners of MTV Rock On, Divine Connection, will perform live. Joining them on stage will be the popular nu-metal band from Dimapur, Melodrama.
Naga Orpheus Hunt 2011 grand finale will be held on the night of 15th which is being organized by an outsourced team of MDACC members.
Besides these, there will be a Photography Contest which is being organized by MDACC in collaboration with the Mokokchung Photography Club. There is also a ‘Facebook Photo Contest’ which is already going on. There will also be a framed Art and Painting competition (not on-spot).
The only governmental agency involved is the Horticulture department who will initiate a flower show-cum-competition. AKM in partnership with the MDACC will be organizing the ‘Inter Range Tug of War’ contest, which promises to be very entertaining.
This year’s M-Fest will also feature a ‘side show’ called the Ü Factor, an on-the-spot competition for children between the ages of 7 and 15 on any talent. Food and games stalls and a book fair will remain open throughout the fest.
Mokokchung district administration, Mokokchung Municipal Council, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Ao Senden, AKM, Mokokchung Press club, Mokokchung Photography Club and the Horticulture department are the partners of MDACC in organizing the mega-event. The Morung Express is the media partner for M-Fest 2011.
Interested individuals to compete in the various events or for any matter with regard to the M-Fest 2011 may contact 9862222555, 9089577457 or 9436607310 or can email at mdacc.mkg@gmail.com. Greeting Graft, MTBA basement is the contact point, the MDACC informed.
