Imtiwapang Imchen wins first Nagaland Guitar Festival

Our Correspondent

Dimapur, Oct. 23 (EMN): Organised by Task Force For Music and Art (TaFMA) and Mokokchung Event Management (MEM), the first Nagaland Guitar festival was held at Just A Venue in Mokokchung on October 23.

Imtiwapang Imchen emerged as the winner while Mayang Longkumer was adjudged as the runner-up.

The day-long festival was held with an array of activities with Atsa Lang Roths, Mhaseve Tetseo and Arenlong as resource persons.

The winner walked away with a cash prize of INR 40000/- and the runner-up received INR 20000/- which was sponsored by Naga Musician Collective.

The first session was kicked-off with guitar workshop and interaction session and product demonstration by renowned guitarists from across the state followed up by six strings guitar contest and entertainment by guitar luminaries and other artistes.

TaFMA Project Director Dr Hovithal Sothu announced that Nagaland Guitar Festival would be an annual festival in Mokokchung and encouraged the people of Mokokchung to let this festival grow to the extent that it may become an International Festival.

He also informed that the state government is all out to help the musicians and TaFMA has lots of dreams for the musicians to extend help not only to grow in the state but grow globally also.

He said, music as an industry in Nagaland is small, hence, challenged the upcoming artists to

‘Give more hours to your passion and practice so that we can shine and move to the top as professionals,’ he asserted, while citing that musicians in Nagaland should work harder though music as an industry is still very young.

Stating that Naga have the taste for music, honoured guest, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung Limwabang Jamir also advocated on tapping young talents and to channelise the talents to the outside world.

Welcoming the announcement of the Nagaland Guitar Festival to be made an annual affair, Jamir said that the District Administration will render all support to hold this festival in a much bigger way.

(Our Correspondent)