Ten artistes were conferred the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) Excellence Awards 2025 at an awards ceremony held on Thursday at the the Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts (RCEMPA) Jotsoma, Kohima.
Hito Kiho, director of the Nagaland Madrigal Singers was declared the Ultimate Achiever Award winner. The other awardees include Fifth Note Band (for winning the Ticket to Hornbill 2024, India’s biggest band battle), Ruopfuzhano Whiso (for emerging as the 4th runners-up at Miss Universe India 2024), Arenla Subong (for winning Best Feature Film at the 50th Nawada International Film Festival for Enter My World), Lenen Jamir (for becoming the first artiste from Nagaland to cross 10 million YouTube views for the song Itaya Nungu), Tiameren Aier (for composing Itaya Nungu, the first locally composed song to reach 10 million views on YouTube), Nagaland Madrigal Singers (for securing two Gold Medals at the 13th World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand), Trance Effect (for reaching the top 16 at the Gwangju Busking World Cup Festival 2024), Bendang Walling (for receiving the Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Theatre Direction 2023). and Alobo Naga (for winning Best Regional Song/Album at the Clef Music Awards 2024 and Best North East Artist at the Hungama Indian Music Awards 2024).
The TaFMA Excellence Awards recognizes and honours the outstanding contributions by musicians, artists, actors and creative professionals who have brought laurels to the state by achieving distinction at the national and international platforms. This year’s edition featured the unveiling of a grand piano gifted to the state by world-renowned music composer Dr. AR Rahman, and the release of the 25th Hornbill Music Festival Coffee Table Book.
Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio who graced the award ceremony as the special guest expressed pride at the exceptional talents of Naga artists who have excelled in their respective disciplines across the world and lauded their contributions, which brought laurels to both the state and the country.
Rio highlighted that the establishment of TaFMA, formerly known as Music Task Force in 2003, was aimed at promoting the culture and tradition of Nagaland through arts, music, and sports across the world and also to provide job opportunities and employment to the youth of Nagaland.
He lauded TaFMA’s efforts in providing platforms for young upcoming artists who are able to showcase their talents in the national and global arena. The Chief Minister also appreciated TaFMA’s efforts in nurturing over 100 music institutions and creating platforms for artistes to excel both within and beyond India.
The chief minister thanked Dr. Rahman for his gift and, for his love and dedication to the people of Nagaland. He expressed appreciation for partnering with the state, which, Rio stated, continues to strengthen the state’s cultural and economic fabric.
Congratulating the award winners, CM Rio assured the state government’s continued commitment to empowering the creative sector through meaningful recognition and infrastructure.
TaFMA chairman Theja Meru thanked Chief Minister Rio for his patronage, vision, and leadership. He also congratulated the awardees for their hard work and encouraged them to continue bringing more accolades to the state.
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Advisor to Chief Minister and chairman IDAN, Abu Metha emphasized the role of music and arts, spotlighting Naga musicians who are making waves and putting India on the global stage. He highlighted the Naga story, told through the talents of Naga artists, as a cornerstone of cultural identity and underscored the importance of documenting Nagaland’s way of life for future generations. He noted that the music and arts industry has not only excelled but has also contributed significantly towards national recognition, rising to earn respect among the global community.
Metha also stated that under the guidance and leadership of the CM Rio, the state government is focused on developing Nagaland’s creative economy. This initiative aims to generate employment opportunities for the youth while serving as a revenue source for the state..
The event also featured performances by Inato Assumi, Palak Chauhan,Temsuinla Longchar, Trance Effect and the Nagaland Madrigal Singers.
The awards ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by project director TaFMA Dr. Hovithal Sothu, who acknowledged all the participants, sponsors including Toyota, and attendees for making the event a success.
