The 4th edition of Asia Music Summit commenced today at Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima with participation from 12 countries, 500 delegates and representatives from five continents.
The three day summit, from 1 to 3 February, is being hosted by Nagaland and is considered to be one of the country’s biggest music expo. The 12 countries include Japan, Santiago De Chile, Ontario- Canada, Italy, Jordan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and host India.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressing the summit remarked the event as one of the biggest and most high-profile events the State is hosting, particularly in the field of music and the arts.
Rio highlighted that music and arts have always been a way of life for the Naga people since time immemorial and plays a central role in all our activities. He said, the tradition of stories being passed down from one generation to another through songs continues to this day which has been a unifying force for Nagas, and it has now emerged as one of our most positive ambassadors to the global community.
Rio said his government has been making sincere efforts in promoting music and arts. As such, he said after declaring ‘music as an industry’ within the State, his government have taken it as our mission to carefully nurture creativity from an early age, carefully allow it to grow and blossom, and then harness it as a collective mission towards societal transformation and creation of opportunities.
“Today, our musicians and artists have become national and global ambassadors, and through their talents we are promoting Brand Nagaland and Naga Soft Power,” he added.
Nagaland is excited to host the 4th Edition of the Asia Music Summit in Kohima, on behalf of incredible India. This is one of the biggest and most high-profile events, particularly in the field of music and the arts. pic.twitter.com/wszg1xzt3y
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 1, 2024
Rio, extending his appreciation to MusicConnect Asia for partnering with the state, said MusiConnect Asia, is a world-renowned organization and doing extraordinary work by connecting Asian countries together. He was hopeful that our excelling musicians will be encouraged, promoted and propelled to greater heights and this Summit will further enhance the growth of the music industry not just in India but across Asia and beyond.
He exuded hope that the Asia Music Summit will achieve the aspirations networking to create more prospects for musicians across the continent. “Music and arts give every person an avenue to blossom. It exemplifies the flowering of the human spirit, it makes humanity more beautiful. I hope that this Summit will achieve these aspirations and more,” said Rio.
President of the MusicConnect Asia Kaushik Dutta, asserted that the Asia Music Summit will allow the Government of Nagaland to continue to champion its rich tradition of folk arts and culture and at the same time make Nagaland a critical destination for global performing arts exchange.
Dutta highlighted that Asia Music Summit is a flagship project of MusiConnect Asia and said that the earlier editions have successfully connected to 1000’s of professionals around Asia and beyond.
“Since 2016, every year at the WOMEX the largest music expo, we have consistently featured Asia either through panel discussions or networking sessions, reached out to thousands around the globe and Initiated strategic partnerships with global organisations. One of our prime objectives is to ensure that music of Asia finds wider appreciation and audience-listenership and viewership-at the global level,” he said.
Read more: 12 countries and 21 bands to participate in 4th Asia Music Summit
21 bands have been selected for music showcase (Concert) during the Asia Music Summit. They include – OOberfuse, Nchanter, Rain in Sahara, Alobo Naga & The Band, Trance Effect, Abiogenesis, Version 2, Tetseo Sisters, Colored Keys, Coronation Choir, Atsa Lang Roths, Abdon Mech, The Glutbones, Cantamus Choir, African Amakishiu and J M e, Benry Moses, Imna Yaden, Kekhrie Ringa, Jonathan Angami, Rüzazho Tati Folk Song Group and Southern Angami Cultural Society.
The music showcase, workshops, mentoring session, panel discussion, business, networking, one-to-one session, etc will take place at, RCEMPA Jotsoma on 2 and 3 February 2024.
