DIMAPUR — Advisor of Information and Public Relations and Soil and Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen, inaugurated the Hipfest 2023 on the theme “Nature’s canvas-celebrating the beauty of Nagaland” at the WW-II Museum arena in Kisama on Friday.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Imchen stated that such events give opportunity to upcoming youth and enthusiasts to showcase their talents and works. He congratulated the department of IPR and Portrait Studio for organising the Hipfest successfully over the past years.
The director of IPR, Dzuvinuo Theunuo, in her welcome address, stated that the department of IPR, in collaboration with Portrait Studio, has been organising the Hipfest for the last few years as part of the Hornbill Festival. She highlighted that the photos collected over the years have been used in various government publications including the Nagaland calendar and the Nagaland dairy.
“The department felt the need to organise a photofest where the pictures of the state can be showcased to people and also to encourage young upcoming photographers,” she said. The director also viewed that enthusiasm has picked up over the years.
Meanwhile, the proprietor of Portrait Studio, Ababe Ezung, stated that the Hipfest is one platform where people from all walks of life can come and witnessed Naga lifestyle be it in a kitchen, field, celebration, marriage etc. because all photographs showcased are from the state of Nagaland. He added that photographs showcased in the exhibition have been published in other foreign magazines promoting tourism of the state.
Ababe informed that Hipfest 2023 has 84 participants and the competition will be judged by Kekhriezhazo, Onenjunshi, both photographers from Nagaland and representatives of Nikon.
Short video clip of Jana Bedranova on her plein-air painting at Dzukuo Valley was also screened during the inaugural function. The video showcased the glimpse of the plein-air painting in Dzukou Valley areas. The artist, who worked directly on site, portrayed the sceneries of the untouched nature.
Plein-air painting has become the characteristics art technique for Jana as she focuses on the immersion to the landscape of Northeast India, where she currently lives and works. Her paintings can be viewed at the HIPFEST arena.
It informed that Canon will also be conducting advance workshops on photography on December 3, while Nikon will conduct a two-day workshop on December 7 and 8 at the Hipfest arena.
Also read: Hornbill Festival 2023: Unique souvenirs to take home from your Nagaland trip
