Performing arts can be used as powerful medium for public education- Nagaland Governor

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 27 (EMN): In remote and distant areas as well as in the hilly and difficult terrains of the state, Governor of Nagaland, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said performing arts can be used as a powerful medium for public education, particularly for creating awareness to eradicate social evils and to impart information about welfare schemes.

Stating that Nagas have inherited a valuable range of art, literature, music, monuments, customs and traditions, he said Nagaland’s art and music must also look at the role it can play in society.

“Art, music and literature are a powerful medium and can be used to effectively convey social messages particularly to fight against social evils like female foeticide, female infanticide, child marriages, dowry and addiction to drugs and alcohol,” Mukhi said.

“They can also educate the population on various issues such as health, literacy and the values of truth, tolerance and harmony,” he added.

He said that performing arts, both classical and folk, are basic to one’s identity from the ancient times.

Whether it is the sound of the Sitar, Sarod, Veena, or Nadhaswaram and other contemporary musical instruments or the dance forms of Kathak, Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Odissi or other folk dances, he maintained that all these have the capacity to arouse the feeling of “being an Indian” in each one of us.

He called upon social organisations and corporate houses to promote music, art and literature to bring about awareness, harmony and peace in society.

While stating that India is unique because of its rich culture and tradition, he underscored the need to preserve them but at the same time reminded that modern art, music and literature, which are highly acclaimed today, should not be ignored.

He stated this during the Governor’s Awards function for distinction in arts, music and literature 2021 and 2022 at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima on Tuesday.

In the state, Mukhi said art, music and literature are also blending with modern trends and Indian culture to a considerable extent.

He emphasised on the need to spread art, music and literature to the masses for cultural development.

Asserting that some of the traditional folk arts are fast disappearing for want of patronage, the governor stressed on the need to encourage patrons of arts, music and literature in the society — whether corporate houses, musical societies, local artist groups — to support classical and traditional arts, music and literature.

Affirming that Nagaland occupies an important place on the cultural map of the country, Mukhi said that Nagas should be proud of their rich heritage and varied culture.

“This has been possible because of our inherent strengths and resilience as well as our ability to incorporate change and cope with new ideas without losing our basic character and values,” he said.

Governor’s Award conferred to 5 persons

The Governor’s award for distinction in arts, music, literature 2021 and 2022 were conferred to Wapang Ozukum, Sunep Lemtur, Zangzang Zeliang, Bethel Tsuzu and Tali Angh. Each recipient received INR 5,00,000 along with a silver plate, a shawl and a certificate.

Congratulating the awardees for excelling in their respective fields on the occasion, Mukhi, said one of the aims of this award should be to encourage the best talent from all parts of the state and also to reach the performing arts and literature to a larger number of people.

He stated that the governor’s award also contributes substantially to the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage and encourages exchange of ideas and enrichment of techniques between different regions predominantly in performing arts, literature and music.

“It helps to revive and preserve folk music, dance and literature,” Mukhi said.

Mukhi lauded all the award winners for their excellent contribution in preserving, promoting and expanding our performing arts as a treasure for our younger generation to follow and nurture.

“The people we honour and congratulate today are achievers who have reaped what they have sown through hard work, sheer determination and overcome enormous odds with their remarkable courage and indomitable spirit. I truly believe that a bright future lies ahead of all the awardees and with it more accolades,” he added.

J Alam, Chief Secretary of Nagaland and chairman of state-level committee for Governor’s Award for arts, music and literature, informed that the award was envisioned in the year 2003 under the initiative of Shyamal Datta, the then governor of Nagaland, and the guidelines and procedures for selection of the recipients were prepared by the department of Art and Culture and approved by the state cabinet in 2004.

Since then, multiple visionaries with deep insights into the implication of art have guided the evolution and staging of the ceremonial function, he added.

Since the inception of this awards in 2003, the governor said the awardees are honoured during Independence Day every year, however, owing to the unprecedented pandemic, the awards ceremony have been deferred for the past years.

Mukhi lauded all the award winners for their excellent contribution in preserving, promoting and expanding performing arts as a treasure for the younger generation to follow and nurture.

It was informed that the award distribution ceremony of the govenor’s award for distinction in the field of arts, music and literature is at its 19th edition today in this august function today where five persons were being conferred during the day bringing the total number of recipient to 85 since inception of the awards.

On the occasion, paintings of Wapang Ozukum were displayed while live performances were given by Sunep Lemtur, Zanzang Zeliang, Bethel Tsuzu and Tali Ang following which their videos were screened.

Profile of the recipients

Wapang Ozukum – Art (Fine Art):
Paintings left an indelible impression on Wapang Ozukum since childhood. As a beginner in art, realism inspired and motivated him and symbolic expressionisms were his chosen practice. He believes that the ultimate end of a man’s communication is on visual form. Besides painting, he has been practicing stone sculpture since 2005, using locally available resources to capture and preserve Naga cultural motifs, symbolism and historical personalities. Monument design is also another passion for Wapang for which he relies on post-structuralism and minimalism. He had also held a solo exhibition at the Kala Academy Art Gallery in Mumbai and has also given life demonstration of his art at various events across the state and the country

Sunep Lemtur – Music (performing art and entertainment/amusement):
Sunep Lemtur is a renowned singer, song writer, producer, director, composer and an entrepreneur. Music has been his greatest inspiration and an integral part of his life. He is known for his originality and powerful gift of composing music. He has performed in more than 200 shows and has worked with some of the finest artistes in the country. In the year 2019, he captured millions of viewers on YouTube with the Nagamese song “Mintu loves Pinky”. He has also won several prestigious music awards.

Zangzang Zeliang – Music (video producer):
Zangzang Irangbe Zeliang from Peren started his musical career in 2008 with his debut at Music Safari. He recorded and released his first Hindi album in 2011. He successfully initiated and organised the show called ‘Voice of Nagaland’ in the year 2014 with a vision to promote young talents. Under the aegis of ‘Voice of Nagaland,’ he mobilised the artistes from Voice of Nagaland Choir to represent Nagaland at India’s Got Talent Season -7, 2016. His current project for promoting unity and peace in the state is a single music video under the aegis of Voice of Nagaland with the nomenclature ‘As One’ comprising 27 artistes.

Bethel Tsuzu – Music (education and piano):
Bethel Tsuzu, an accomplished pianist and musician, began playing the piano at the age of 7. She made her solo debut at the age of 12 and began her stage performance at the age of 17. She went on to pursue her Bachelor in Church Music in Singapore, majoring in paino. She performed as part of the 20-member choir from her school with the Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010 she established the “Mountain Music Academy” (MMA) in Dimapur and is currently involved in creating music with her band, the Teaspoon Project. She currently hosts a talk show “Le Connect”, and is actively involved in supporting the church music scene, and striving for the growth and development of western classical music in Nagaland.

Tali Angh – Music (pop/contemporary Christian music):
Tali Angh released his full-length debut album titled ‘Take it Slow’ in November 2014. As part of the ‘Love Life Liberty’ tour, which is an initiative of Tali Angh Music, he visited schools and colleges within and outside Nagaland. He was a member of the jury in Naga Idol for five consecutive seasons. He composed the official song for the traditional round of the Miss Nagaland 2014, and was also one of the judges for the same. He has been associated with Delhi based NGO, ‘Live Jam’, a youth oriented organisation, and has also been conducting workshops on songwriting with a goal to raise authentic, orginal and genuine artists. He is the founder of ‘Prism’ – School for Creative’s, which was established in the year 2020. He has initiated the ‘Love Sound Movement’ in August 2020, the goal of which is to give a clarion call for love and unity through music.