By Imna Longchar
Kohima (Nagaland), Dec 2: Entering the 2nd day of the globally acclaimed 22nd edition Hornbill Festival 2021, the main event being held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Kohima, witnessed colourful cultural performances by the 17 Naga tribes of Nagaland who connected the revelers through their theme “cultural connect”.
MLA and Advisor, Tourism, Arunachal Pradesh, Laisam Simai, and General Manager, North Frontier Railway (NFR), Anshul Gupta, were the guest of honour and special guest respectively for the cultural programme at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Kohima.
In his address, the guest of honour, Laisam Simai, on behalf of the Arunachal people extended greetings and said Northeast states have many potentials as every state has its own unique identity and is been blessed in every field.
General Manager, North Frontier Railway (NFR), Anshul Gupta, in his address to the festive revelers said that Kohima and other districts have progressed very fast not only in the infrastructure but “culture and music”.
The morning session was hosted by, Minister of Housing and Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum, and Advisor of Information and Technology, Science and Technology, New and Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon, which was followed by presentation of the cultural folk dances, songs and indigenous games by Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Garo, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, and Phom cultural troupes.
The evening session hosted by Minister for Tribal Affairs and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, and Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection and Taxes, Pukhayi, saw Principal Chief Commissioner, Income Tax (CCA), NER, Ministry of Finance and Revenue, S H. Shyam Kumar, as the guest of honour.
Shyam Kumar shared that he had personally learned a lot about the unique culture and traditions of the state and encouraged the people from the other states of India to come and enjoy the serene beauty ,hospitality, and all the great things the State of Nagaland has to offer.
Performances of cultural dances and songs by the Pochury, Kachari, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimkhiung, Kuki and Zeliang Cultural troupes were the highlights.
The programme “cultural connect” was the cultural extravaganza presented by the department of Art & Culture, Nagaland, where all the cultural troupes representing the 17 Naga tribes from all corners of the State presented a glimpse into their rich cultural heritage to the visitors through songs and dances.
The 10 day long hornbill festival which has already entered its 2nd day would also witness the varied cultures and traditions of the Nagas which would be expressed visually through various forms of folk songs and dances, indigenous games, demonstration of rituals and folk dramas.
It may be also mentioned that the dubbed “cultural connect” extravaganza ends the 10 day long festivities with a “unity dance” which is an approach to cultural homogenization among different tribes regardless of tribal distinctions and cultural variations.
The “unity dance” for Hornbill 2021 would be led by Lotha tribe which would be synchronized by the other participating tribes.
