Atsa Lang Roths, Mhaseve Tetseo and Arenlong Longkumer performing on stage at the first Nagaland Guitar Festival, Mokokchung on October 22. (Morung Photo)
Imtiwapang Imchen and Mayang Longkumer adjudged first and second place winners of six-string guitar contest
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 22
The debut edition of the Nagaland Guitar Festival was held today at Just A Venue, a resort in the outskirts of Mokokchung town, organized by Mokokchung Events Management (MEM) in partnership with Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) and supported by Naga Musicians Collective (NMC).
TaFMA Project Director, Dr Hovithal Sothu declared that the Nagaland Guitar Festival will be an annual affair and added that the festival should grow into an asset for Mokokchung and Nagaland. Stating that TaFMA has “a lot of dreams for musicians,” Sothu also dreamt of making the festival go international in the future. He also shared the idea of Nagaland producing maestro musicians “to move to the world” as the industry is too small in the state. He also congratulated MEM for organizing the maiden guitar festival.
Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir, while speaking at the event as special guest said that music was a conspicuous talent among Nagas and that there is no dearth of musicians in the state. He exhorted stakeholders to support TaFMA in promoting young talents to the music world. He added that Nagaland government declaring music as an industry was one of a kind with no parallel in the country, a subject of envy, and advised musicians and artistes to take advantage of the government’s policy.
Imtiwapang Imchen and Mayang Longkumer were adjudged first and second place winners of the main event of the day, a six-string guitar contest. Other highlights of the day included special performances by guitar luminaries, a guitar workshop and interaction session, and product demonstration among other activities.
