The Governor said that besides being endowed with a wonderful rich culture, Nagaland is equally blessed with abundant natural beauty and that the state has many things to offer a visitor. He noted that the number of people coming to the state has increased over the years. He urged for more initiatives to be taken for making Nagaland one of the important tourist destinations in the country, particularly better and improved connectivity in the form of roads throughout the state, more places for stay and recreation and the creation of skills required for the tourist industry amongst the people.

The Governor also noted that this year’s Hornbill Festival is bigger and grander in terms of the events and participation. He appreciated the participation of other Northeastern states under the aegis of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) and the participation of Myanmar, Thailand, Korea and Japan in the festival. He welcomed all the guests and participants as he declared the seven day mega festival open. The Governor also released a book ‘Fables from the misty mountains – Folklores of the Nagas’ on the occasion.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended his greetings to everyone on the occasion of the Hornbill Festival which coincided with the 46th anniversary of statehood. He said that the festival is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the state’s traditional and cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur. It is the coming together of all elements that make up Nagaland, Rio said. “The Hornbill Festival is a collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one venue and for us, this is a Festival of Festivals,” he added.

Noting that for the majority of tourists, it would be impossible to visit all the festivals which are held at different times of the year in various parts of the state, Rio said that the Hornbill Festival aims at providing a similitude of various Naga festivals, offering the opportunity to experience varied Naga culture at its best at Kisama during the week long festival. He said that the festival has now become a unique platform for tourists to witness the cultural diversity of not only the Nagas but also the other states of the North East, and the NEZCC has been a major facilitator in bringing cultural troupes from other North East states since 2006. He said that since 2007 the Koreans have been taking part in the festival and this year the participation of Japan, Thailand and Myanmar has made the festival grow even larger and more diverse, becoming a wonderful platform for cultural exchange.

The Traditional Blessing upon the festival was pronounced by the tribal guest of honour, W.C. Krome, former President, Tenyimi Central.

The second day of the Hornbill Festival was a special day dedicated to cultural presentations from the North East states. Among those who took part included Pynther Orchestra, Rewben Mashangva & son, Mizo singers, young Khasi singers, Voices Na Rympei (Meghalaya) and Zome Madrigat. It might be mentioned that since 2006 the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India has been a major facilitator in bringing cultural troupes from other Northeastern states.

Being held under the theme ‘Heralding Culture’, the Hornbill Festival was attributed the title of ‘Festival of Festivals’ by the Nagaland Government this year. The Hornbill Festival showcased the best of tribal dances, songs, demonstration of ethnic practices and rituals.

The uniqueness of different people of different cultures has resulted in huge turnout of tourists and visitors creating a conducive atmosphere for a better understanding of different cultures and traditions.

The cultural presentations presented by the cultural troupes from Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh and the presentation of Korean cultural folklore, music and dance were also some of the highlights at the seven-day festival.

Another crowd puller which was a part of the ‘Festival of festivals’ was the Hornbill Music Festival.

The one-week show was organized by the Nagaland’s government’s Music Task Force (MTF), department of Youth Resources and Sports and the event was managed by XL.

Sanjay Wadavani, British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India formally launched Hornbill Music Festival. He said that music plays an important part in one’s cultural life, adding that music is also part of the Naga people.

The British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India also said that he was really thrilled by the magnificence of the dances and song performances of the Hornbill festival, adding that perhaps the Hornbill Music Festival also plays an important role in harmonising old and new music.

On day one, as part of the state inauguration day, the festival was marked by the achievers in music for the year with local artists – Pete and Mhale. Ledilhounuo Yaostsu , Oren, Aosunep, Namnahei, Topeni, Athungo Kithan, Ashuni, Toli Chophy, Vibezounuo,  Atsungla Imchen, Azatoli Rotokha, Venetolu Tetso and the Chakhesang choir taking to the stage.

On day two the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) anchored the “Music from North East”.

The third night of the Hornbill Music festival showcased country, western and blues and the voices of veterans, which saw the performances of Dr. Nicky Kire, MLA and Adviser MTF, Alemtemshi Jamir, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Dr. Manoj Pant, lecturer Economics JNU Gugs Chishi, PD MTF, Human Bondage (Robert Khuvung and co), Shurhosielie, Imkong Ao, Lipok Temsu, Merci, Azei, Emilo, Narsen, Keneilezenuo, Mengusie, Voice of Promises, Ebenezer band and Higher Ground. Dr. Tolto Metha and Neilazeii Tungoe were the compeers of the show.

The four day Hornbill National Rock Contest, 2009 then took centre stage with 19 bands from Nagaland, Manipur, Darjeeling, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and New Delhi.

On day four Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma officially launched the Hornbill National Rock Contest 2009 at Kisama.

He congratulated the Nagaland government for declaring the state as the ‘Land of festivals’ and the Hornbill Festival as the ‘Festival of festivals’ and hoped that it would be able to attract and bringing in more tourists to Nagaland in particular and the North East in general.

Dr. Sangma further appreciated Nagaland for organizing the Hornbill National Rock contest, adding that it is a national event. He also suggested the starting of a festival called the ‘North East Festival Carnival’ wherein all the North East states come and participate.

Baraka from Darjeeling, Pip of the Fourth Mother from Shillong, Harmonic Curtains from Assam, Cynical Recess from Kolkata, Incipit from Nagaland, Church OV Blood from Arunachal Pradesh, Sunep Assemble Band from Nagaland, OFF also from Nagaland and Kanglasha from Manipur performed on the first night of the Hornbill National Rock Contest.

On day five, Cleave from Manipur, Silver Screen from Kolkata, Hypnosis from New Delhi, Kronik from Nagaland, Dementia from Nagaland, Kalika from Darjeeling, Eastern Haze from Nagaland, Melodrama from Nagaland, Kaivalyaa from Kolkata and Lucid Recess from Assam performed.

Thus 19 bands completed their first round of competition and awaited the announcement of the nine finalists which was made on the sixth day.

On day-six, the guest band ‘Five Little Indians’ from Kolkata along with achieving bands of past Hornbill National contest Eximious, Diatribe and XTC took the stage.

Before they performed, Governor of Maharashtra, Lok Shree Dr. SC Jamir announced the nine finalists. In his speech S.C. Jamir thanked and congratulated the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio for initiating the building up of infrastructure and organizing such a grand event. He also expressed happiness in seeing all the 16 tribes of Nagaland at one place, which in itself is an attraction to all.

The nine finalists for the Hornbill National Rock contest final were Baraka, Sunep Assemble Band, OFF, Cynical Recess, Hypnosis, Dementia, Melodrama, Kaivaalya and Lucid Recess.

On day seven, the final show down took place and finally OFF from Nagaland won the title for the Hornbill National Rock Contest 2009 which was presented by Airtel. The first and second runners-up positions were won by Hypnosis and Kaivaalya respectively.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio gave away the prizes to the winners of the rock contest and announced that in 2010 the Hornbill National Rock Contest will take place at Kisama.

The 7 day annual Hornbill Festival ended amidst merry making and dances by the various participating cultural troupes around the bonfire lit ceremoniously by Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Yitachu.

During the closing function held in the main arena of the amphitheatre of Kisama Heritage village, Yitachu gave away the prizes to the various folk cultural troupes for their presentations during the week long Festival of Festivals. A gala display of fire works was an added attraction during the concluding day of the Hornbill Festival.

Xavier Rutsa