Task force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel in India for the first time presented ‘Transcending Jerusalem through Indian lenses’ as part of the ongoing Hornbill Festival today here at Bamboo Hall, Naga Heritage, Kisama.

Rev K N Kele, Director CRMT ABCC, inaugurated the photo exhibition in the presence of Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister.

Director CRMT ABCC Rev K N Kele inaugurating the photo exhibition at Bamboo Hall, Kisama. (Credit: DIPR)

At the event, Metha said the programme is very significant and highlights the partnership between the Government of Nagaland, the Naga people and the Government of Israel through the Embassy of Israel in India.

He congratulated TaFMA and thanked the photographers who contributed to the exhibition.

He also thanked the Ambassador of Israel, who was the guest of honour in the last edition of the Hornbill festival.

Hovithal Sothu, Project Director of TaFMA; Theja Meru, Advisor TaFMA; Abu Metha, Advisor to CM; and Rev K N Kele, Director CRMT ABCC.

Speaking on the sideline of the programme, TaFMA advisor Theja Meru said this is the first time that such an exhibition is being held in the State. He informed that the photographs were taken by Indian photographers who went to Jerusalem as part of the Embassy’s initiative to photograph Jerusalem.

He said this was a travelling exhibition that has reached Nagaland. “The first-hand experience of witnessing the rich culture of Jerusalem inspired the exhibition,” he added.

Meru said the journey of this exhibition began when he was invited to Israel as a state guest on the programme of ‘Discover Israel’. During his official visit, he witnessed the rich culture of Israel and Jerusalem in particular and discussions were held to display the culture of Jerusalem through the lenses of Indian photographers during Hornbill Festival.

“The whole world meets here [at Hornbill], and from all over India. So, they were very willing to send the photographs. I would say that started off the whole journey to where it has reached,” added Meru.

“Jerusalem is the heart of the world,” he said on the reason for choosing Jerusalem for the exhibition.

He pointed out that Jerusalem is significant because it is the birth place of Jesus and for Christian believers it is a very special story and landmark. It is also the birthplace of three major religions – Islam, Christianity and Judaism, he added.

Dr Alka Pande curated the Jerusalem exhibition. Prabir Purkayastha, Parthiv Shah and Aditya Arya are the artists of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm at Bamboo Hall, Kisama, from 5 to 10 December.