Abu Metha and others during Nagaland World Music Festival at Khuzama on November 6.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 7
A two-day long Nagaland World Music 2025 under the aegis of Kekhrie Krotho in collaboration with Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) concluded at Khuzama in Kohima district on November 7.
From the last three editions, this music festival named as “All Nagaland Folk Fusion Festival” has been renamed to “Nagaland World Music Festival” from this year under the theme “Threads of Heritage.”
Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland & Chairman IDAN graced the inaugural session on November 6. On behalf of TaFMA and the Chief Minister of Nagaland and the state government, he assured to continue to support the Nagaland World Music Festival and to ensure it grow bigger.
He congratulated the citizens of Khuzama stating that the event has brought the village on the international map. He thanked the incredible guest artists, Kornkanok Lamomprom (Thailand International Singer & Semifinalist, The Voice Of Thailand 2024) and Khmih Creative Society (Meghalaya) for their enchanting performances at the festival.
Metha mentioned that he plans to discuss with the Chief Minister of Nagaland about upgrading the infrastructure at Khuzama, ensuring that future festivals can be held with improved amenities.
He underscored that Nagaland’s young artists are rewriting the narrative, showcasing their talents worldwide.
He said that the Naga musicians are excelling, bringing pride to Nagaland and India. Metha said that Nagas are changing the story, replacing violence and instability with creativity and excellence. He said that the musicians from Nagaland have won awards and prizes at India’s top competitions.
Under his leadership, he said, TAFMA continues to excel, breaking new ground nationally and internationally.
“It is a testament to Dr. Rio’s commitment to promoting Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage and empowering its youth through music and arts,” Metha said.
Metha also highlighted that in 2024 Nagaland hosted the Asia Music Summit in Kohima where more than a dozen directors of festivals from around the world like Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, UK came Nagaland and participated at the Asia Music Summit in Kohima and signed the Kohima Declaration for Music to partner together.
‘Hornbill Festival created more than 8000 jobs’
Metha said that the Hornbill Festival is one of the most precious intellectual properties that Nagas have, adding that it belong to everybody, every Naga tribe.
Every Naga citizen is a stakeholder, a contributor, and a belonger of the Hornbill Festival, he said.
“Today, the Hornbill Festival, with a vision of the chief minister, is no longer just about festivities and celebrations. Today, the Hornbill Festival is much more than that. It’s not only festivities, but it is a platform to network, to meet, to have business roundtables, to have investment, seminars, dozens of verticals under one banner of the Hornbill Festival, showcasing Nagaland , showcasing the Naga way of life and showcasing the best that we have,” he noted.
Hornbill Festival created more than 8,000 jobs. It brought in more than 180 crore of new money spending in the state, he said.
He said that Hornbill Festival is contributing towards the elevation of the economy of the state and the creative economy of Nagaland.
Nagaland World Music Festival, is part of that creative economy, part of contributing towards “Nagaland Rise,” he said.
The inaugural session kicked off with welcome address by Nunese Sale, Chief Event Manager of the event.
Theja Meru, Chairman of TaFMA also shared greeting.
Special songs were also performed by Kornkanok Lamomprom, an international singer from Thailand and semi finalist of The Voice of Thailand 2024, and Khmih Creative Society from Meghalaya.
In the Folk Song Group category, Pfüchazünuo took home the top prize of Rs 35,000, followed closely NU Choir, who secured Rs 20,000 for their second-place finish.
The Folk Fusion Group competition saw Cantabile Choir claim the top spot and received Rs 35,000, while TKK Clare took home Rs 20,000 for second-place.
In the Folk Fusion Solo category, Lichong Phom emerged victorious with a prize of Rs 20,000, followed by Onosito Savio (Rs 15,000) and Lemtila Sangtam (Rs 5,000) for bagging second and third postion respectively.
The event was made possible through the support of various sponsors, including TaFMA as partner, Vilelie Khamo as total prize money sponsor, and co-sponsors such as; Department of Art and Culture, Tribal Affairs Department, and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority and valued sponsors, including Auto Partner Vuto Hyundai, Co-Sponsor Asufü Football Academy, LED Partner Highland Dawn Media, Sound Partner Audio Gear, Light Partner Headlight, Media Partner Khruz Gallery and Cinematic, Press Partner Pusa Printing, and Tent Partner Orion Enterprise.
