Republic Day venue gets Naga touch

Our Correspondent
Kohima Jan. 25 (EMN): This year’s Republic Day celebrations will have a few novel features. The venue of the event in Kohima has a Naga touch.

Again, the governor of Nagaland and Meghalaya RN Ravi will not be delivering a public address at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima.

What one can glimpse at the celebration’s venue will be a blend with the modern. This is represented by two indigenous bamboo mugs belonging to Chang Naga tribe, on the main stage.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror at the stage, a senior artist from the Department of Art and Culture, Neivotuo Keyho, said it took him 4-5 days to make a single cup measuring 8.5 feet high and approximately 2.5 feet in diameter.

“The Chang tribe’s bamboo cup stands for festivities and Republic Day being a national festival it is specifically made for the festival,” said Keyho.

The designs on the sides of the mugs are based on tribal lore about victory over spirits that destroy fields and steal crops. Accordingly, the designs on the mug is a reminder to tribesmen their forefathers victory over the bad spirits.

One can also see on the background of the stage a depiction of Naga warriors dancing, holding each other’s hand signifying unity. Further, the stage has a village gate design in the background and four stands depicting Hornbills. The bird is the State Bird of Nagaland.

The designs give the impression of victory and new hopes as the nation embarks onto another year of the Republic striving towards ‘a new India’ and, for the state, ‘a new Nagaland.’