The Longsa Music Carnival, organized by the Longsa Music Club, commenced on Thursday at Longsa Village, Mokokchung. Rongsennungba, Director of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Dept., Nagaland Kohima, served as the Inaugural Patron for the event taking place on 4th and 5th January 2024.
In his inaugural address, Rongsennungba commended the Organizing Committee for their initiative, recognizing the challenge of launching such an event. He emphasized the significance of the Music Carnival for the youth, foreseeing its positive impact on socio-economic development. Advocating for its continuity, he suggested incorporating it into the annual calendar and making it part of the Mini Hornbill festival, extending the celebration to 4 to 5 days.
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Pointing out Longsa’s status as a Tourist Village, he underscored the event’s role in promoting tourism and generating revenue. He advocated affiliating with Art and Culture, emphasizing that it’s not solely about music but also crucial for cultural development. To promote this, he highlighted government facilities and urged affiliation with the Tourism Department for uplifting the tourism sector. Additionally, he recommended connecting with TaFMA to promote music in the state.
Addressing the historical significance of the place, he stressed the need for collaboration to preserve historical sites, promote ecotourism, and attract tourists. He envisioned the carnival as a recreational event fostering socio-economic development. Beyond music, he emphasized self help group stalls supporting local entrepreneurs, angling competitions, and showcasing the village’s cultural diversity to the world.
Recognizing the absence of industries in the village, he emphasized the importance of music production in music industries, encouraging its promotion in various fields. He advocated for historical and musical promotion alongside socio-economic development, emphasizing unity, strength, peace, and the upgradation of knowledge during celebrations.
Temsu Jamir, Convenor of the Organizing Committee, informed the formation of the Music Club comprising 17 members, representing music lovers from diverse backgrounds from Longsa Village. He expressed that the Club has decided to organize an event for the first time to promote music and the village’s rich cultural diversity globally. He highlighted the festival’s focus on promoting music, nurturing talent, and showcasing the village’s cultural diversity to the global audience.
Jamir emphasized their intent to make the Music Carnival an annual event, seeking input from the public for continuous improvement and learning from each activity. He expressed optimism about incorporating ideas from the public and welcomed suggestions to enhance the event. Highlighting the significance of music education, he mentioned that many individuals in the village pursue music as a degree. The aim is to uplift music lovers, nurture talent, and develop skills by learning from those excelling in various communities.
The Convenor stressed the inclusion of cultural heritage tourism during the event, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the village’s rich cultural identity. While modern aspects will be explored, there is encouragement for traditional folk songs, connecting with the heritage of forefathers, and offering opportunities for young talent.
Jamir revealed the festival’s long-term vision, intending to continuously update and uplift, learning from experiences while promoting music, Longsa Village’s culture, and its identity. He also hinted at future encouragement for the marketing sector.
As this year marks the inaugural edition, the Convenor announced that the presentation is open to all. He expressed the goal of introducing competitions in the following years, specifically focusing on promoting cultural folk songs.
Chairman of Longsa Village Council, Talichuba Pongen, welcomed the initiative in his address, emphasizing the importance of seizing the opportunity for the village’s music lovers to showcase their talent. He encouraged a balance between practical and bookish knowledge, urging the youth to uplift Longsa Village in various fields.
The Music Carnival features a diverse range of competitions and performances. The Day 1 event featured competitions in original songs, “Aong Aten” (a women’s empowerment folk song/women’s chanting), “Ola” (sound), junior solo, and “Meyutsü” (call and response folk song), as well as patriotic songs. There was an open stage for Longsa artists and a concert for Longsa stars.
The carnival will culminate on January 5th with Imotemjen, Joint Director of Horticulture Dept., Nagaland Kohima, as the Closing Patron. The second day of the event will witness performances from anchor bands including Huntingboots/Mingletones and main bands like The Spectrums, Stereo Groove, Ark Covenant, and Decorum Disaster.
