Chief Ministers of Manipur & Arunachal Pradesh, Biren Singh and Pema Khandu with CM,T.R Zeliang witnessing the cultural extravaganza at the Hornbill Festival celebrations at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on December 5, 2017.
Day – 5 of the ongoing Hornbill Festival was celebrated warmly with the participation of Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh and Arunachal Chief Minister, Pema Khandu as the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively.
The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh graced the occasion of the ‘Culturally yours’ programme today, the 5th December 2017 at Kisama as the chief guest. Addressing the Hornbill Festival, the Chief Minister extended his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Nagaland as the State also celebrates 54 years of Statehood coinciding with the festival.
Biren said that there was so much that connects the two states of Manipur and Nagaland and its people based on their shared history and close cultural affinities. He further said that the two states must build the foundation upon which the people and institutions of the two states can collaborate and cooperate with a strong sense of common purpose adding shared prosperity and collective gains can result only from shared vision and collective action.
Biren also suggested for a joint promotion of the two biggest state festivals of the two states- the “Manipur Sangai festival” and the “Nagaland Hornbill Festival” which is held in the first 10 days of December to make an attempt to evolve a concrete collaborative mechanism, he added. ‘There are many untapped opportunities which Manipur and Nagaland as neighbours’ should jointly leverage to unlock the full potential of our two states and fulfill the aspiration of our people especially that of the youth the Chief Minister stated. He also said that the North eastern region in general synergetic and coordinated vision and relationships would be critical in realizing the benefits of the Act East policy of India.
Citing the fiercest and deciding battles of the 2nd world war which were fought in Imphal and Kohima, Biren said that the collaboration efforts of the Governments with entrepreneurs, historians and enthusiast to develop a tourism circuit in this wide area should be supported not only for promoting tourism but for preserving the history and relics of those forgotten battles of world war II.
The CM also said that the two states could make something together even in the area of sports citing that both the states could be able to produce the sports persons even in the international arena. He further said that there is a need for extensive and meaningful people to people interactions and between institutions for collaboration and partnership in the area of entrepreneurship, skill development, commerce, arts, culture, films and theatre.
The Chief Minister of Manipur was also accompanied by the State PHED Minister and 5 MLAs.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang in his welcome address thanked the chief guest and the guest of honour acknowledging the dynamic leadership of the two Chief Ministers of neighbouring states. Zeliang called upon the common development strategy of all the North Eastern States for Act East Policy on the occasion. He also extended his greetings to everyone in the festival.
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu who graced the occasion as guest of honour has expressed his happiness for being part of Hornbill festival.
In his address Khandu said that North East as a whole to her people especially to the mainland India and Metropolitans have different concept for them as they thinks that the whole northeast people are common as tribal people. But he said that each tribe as a unique one who has distinct culture and tradition, speaks different dialect which has made known of each cultural identity. Therefore he encouraged the young generation to preserve each of their own cultural identity. He also said that Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have many things in common in terms of tribal diversity, language diversity and also political diversity. He further said that north eastern states have huge potentials and tremendous talent which needs to be tapped and exposed to other parts of the world
Various cultural troupes performed on day 5 as follows: Angami- Stone pulling, Lotha- Eloe Luroe Tona Khyingroe Rumphi Khen, Garo- Harvesting Dance, Chang- Khuyubü (Traditional Wrestling), Kuki- Khulkon Lam (Folk Dance), Sangtam -Cotton Spinning Song, Konyak –Yehok Taipe (War Dance), Pochury-Hala Hulu (Traditional game), Zeliang-Heka Lim (Fish Dance).
Ao-ArpuTsungsang (Battle Dance), Rengma-Phunsen (Folklore), Chakhesang-Devi Khu (Indigenous Song), Phom-Laakho Asho (Dance), Yimchungru-Mukhunam Hut Khi (Shaving Beard), Sumi-Amalimi Kuphulu: Sumi Tusu Tixe (Drama), Kachari-Bai Maijai (Folk Dance), Khiamniungan Chesao (Folk Song), Manipur- Choreographic dance, Arunachal Pradesh- Lion dance.
Glocal Hornbill International Film Festival 2017 underway
Film is one of the most important mediums through which a story can be told, said Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner, Temjen Toy. He was speaking at the launching of the Glocal Hornbill International Film Festival, 2017 at The Heritage, Kohima on 5th December, 2017.
Temjen Toy congratulated the Department of Information and Public Relations and the Eastern Art Council for successfully organizing the programme despite of fund constraints. Nagaland is in a nascent stage where film making is concerned, but so many of the film makers from the state have received awards which speaks of our potentials, he stated.
The concept, ideas and imaginations we have are the most important things, he said pointing things will take shape and work out as we start working with what we have. I hope the Glocal Film Festival will be a time of interaction and learning for the participants, he further added.
Director, IPR, Limawati Ao delivering the welcome address, thanked and welcomed each participant specially guests from abroad. Appreciating the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner, he said his presence in the programme depicts him as a patron of the young people getting into film industry. Nagas may be lacking in many things but in talent we do not lack behind anyone else, he maintained. If the chance be given our people can do a lot he said, stating that the same is what the Department intends to take up. He appreciated the works put in to organize the programme specially that of the Eastern Art Council.
In the programme chaired by Ababe, Dr. Brian W. Bailey presented a brief highlight of the films to be screened. The Glocal Hornbill International Film Festival is being organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations in collaboration with Eastern Art Council as part of the Hornbill Festival 2017.
The short films and documentaries screened on the first day of the film festival included The Snack List, Chapman, The Kitchen, Story of a house, Election Day 2016, Rone and a documentary by DIPR titled A passage through time. The short film River Story was also screened.
HIPFEST 2017 brings alive various hues of Nagaland
(From left to right) The 3 Judges for HIPFEST 2017 -Merimvu Duolu, Rokovor Vihineuo and Heather Layton also seen Sentienla Ezung and Eastern Art Council Coordinator, M. Ababe Ezung.
Appreciating the things that are taken for granted on a daily basis, Heather Layton, an interdisciplinary artist and senior lecturer of Arts in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Rochester, is interested in our ability to empathize; her paintings and installations attempt to reimagine the world from a perspective other than her own. With over 25 exhibitions in the past five years, and having given artist talks and conference presentations, Layton’s exhibition has been put up at HIPFEST 2017 – watercolour and pencil on paper.
Heather Layton’s works includes a series on ‘dirt,’ and speaking about it, she said that it tries to highlight the importance of dirt, how nothing can grow apart from it. Usually, people focus on the flowers and plants, forgetting the dirt, which is essential for the growth of flowers and plants.
Heather Layton along with renowned Naga photographers, Rokovor Vihienuo and Merimvu Doulo judged the HIPFEST 2017 photography contest on 4th December, 2017. Rokovor Vihienuo, based in Kohima, is a wedding photographer; he has been involved in wedding photography for the past 12 years and also deals with graphic and spearhead designing. Merimvu Doulo is a photographer, freelancer, graphic designer and he has brought out several coffee table books also.
While appreciating the beautiful works done by the Naga photographers in the competition, Heather Layton expressed hope that their works can also be showcased to the outside world. Judging the photography contest on the theme ‘Colours of Nagaland,’ Rokovor Vihienuo was of the view that the photos should have a ‘touch of Naga’ to it, something that is unique to Nagaland. Expressing a similar view, Doulo cited the case of a picture which shows a Naga traditional house with a church in the background, captioned ‘From darkness to light,’ saying it aptly depicts the essence of ‘Colours of Nagaland.’
Altogether, 45 participants took part in the photography contest, of which nine participants were in the children’s category (13 years and below). The judges focused on the artistic and cultural side, giving importance to Naga culture in particular. The results will be announced on 7th December and prize distribution will be held on 10th December, 2017.
Sixth Hornbill Riders’ Meet
Deputy Secretary Toursim, Keyirangdam Hegui addressing the Sixth Hornbill Riders’ meet at WWII Museum premises on December, 2017.
Sixth Hornbill Riders’ Meet which was flagged off at Gaili, Peren reached Kisama and a short program was held at the WW II Museum Premises on 5th December, 2017. More than 300 Royal Enfield riders from all over the Country took part in the Meet.
Speaking at the program as the chief guest, Deputy Secretary, Tourism Department, Keyirangdin Hegui appreciated the Nagaland Motorcycle Club for bringing the riders together from different parts of the Country. He urged the participants to be brand Ambassadors of Nagaland Tourism and also the Hornbill Festival.
‘The meet helps in national integration since the riders are from places like Punjab, Kerala, Goa. Nagaland has a huge potential in Adventure Tourism, the Ride should not only be confined to Hornbill Festival, a circuit can be created’ said Deputy Accountant General, Kohima, Nikhil who took part in the Meet.
Another rider, Steve said ’we are learning so many things about each other culturally and it brings a sense of brotherhood among us.’ The event was sponsored by Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Manloi Phom wins stilts bamboo race
Stilts Bamboo race was held on December,2017 at Kisama.
Various Naga Tribes took part in the Stilts Bamboo Race on 5th December 2017 at Kisama wherein, Manloi Phom championed the race and took away the cash price of Rs. 7000 while Kedesuyi Swuro Chakhesang and Shekivi Sumi bagged 2ndand 3rd position with a cash price of Rs. 5000 and Rs. 3000 respectively. The event was organized by Department of Youth Resources and Sports.
Tsuknungakun Jamir wins 1st Hornbill Intl strongest & fittest man competition
Stilts Bamboo race was held on December,2017 at Kisama.
The 1st Hornbill International strongest man & fittest man competition was held at heritage village Kisama on 5thDecember 2017. The event was sponsored by Tourism Department and presented by Zumu Gym Kohima with the theme ‘Exercise yourself towards Godliness (1 timothy 4:7)’.
In a short address the proprietor Zumu Gym acknowledged the Tourism Department for the support and making the event possible. He said that the event was to promote fitness and also to provide a platform to showcase the potential, endurance, strength and talents of our Naga athletes. He lamented that because of unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise our society is facing lots of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure etc. ‘There are many fitness option to choose according to our own interest and lifestyle’ he said and further added that fitness is not about destination but a way of life.
The chairperson in her opening remark said that the main purpose of organising the event was to showcase the strength and also to spread the message that fitness is required to live life to the fullest. All together 24 athletes are participating in the strongest man and 5 fittest man contestant. To win the competition the athletes have to go through 9 sequences of events. Winners of the 1st Hornbill International strongest man & fittest man competition are: In the Strongest man category Tsuknungakun Jamir bagged the 1st Position and Second by Vizobielie Punyu meanwhile in the fittest man category Vizobielie Punyu emerged as the 1stand 2nd was bagged by Kutho Neikha and Hepuni Kajukho emerged as Mr. Hornbill 2017.
The judges of the event were ape, victor, Ketseiu, Aungthung, Kenusevi, Mhonbemo and Kuchuhu. The programme was chaired by Kenisevi Meyase. Invocation was pronounced by Alole Jami and special song was presented by Chuba Jamir. All Contact Combat Arts (ACA) Academy DOJO members demonstrated Wai Kru Muathai.
All news and photos courtesy DIPR, Kohima
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