Advisor Information & Public Relations and Soil and Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen inaugurated the HIPFEST 2023 themed Nature’s Canvas-Celebrating the beauty of Nagaland at the WWII Museum Arena, Kisama on December 1, informed the DIPR.

Addressing the inauguration, Imchen stated that such events give opportunity to upcoming youth and enthusiast to showcase their talents and works. He congratulated the Department of IPR and Portrait Studio for organising the HIPFEST successfully over the past years.

Director IPR, Dzüvinuo Theunuo, in her welcome address, stated that the Department of IPR in collaboration with Portrait Studio has been organising the HIPFEST for the last few years as part of the Hornbill Festival. She highlighted that the photos collected over the years have been used in various government publications including the Nagaland Calendar and the Nagaland Dairy.

The Department felt the need to organise a photofest where the pictures of the State can be showcased to people and also to encourage young upcoming photographers, she added. The Director also viewed that enthusiasm has picked up over the years.

Ababe Ezung, Proprietor, The Portrait Studio,  stated that the HIPFEST is one platform where people from all walks of life can come and witness Naga lifestyle be it in a kitchen, field, celebration, marriage, etc. because all photographs showcased are from the state of Nagaland. He also added that photographs showcased in the exhibition have been published in other foreign magazines promoting tourism of our state.

Ababe informed that HIPFEST 2023 has 84 participants and the competition will be judged by Kekhriezhazo, Onenjunshi, both photographers from Nagaland and also a representative from Nikon.

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Short video clip of Jana Bedranova on her Plein-Air Painting at Dzükou Valley was also screened during the inaugural. The video showcased the glimpses of the plein-air painting in Dzükou Valley areas. The artist who worked directly on site, portrayed the sceneries of the untouched nature.

Plein-air painting has become the characteristics art technique for Jana as she focuses on the immersion to the landscape of Northeast India, where she currently lives and works. Walking in pristine untouched nature and discovering hidden sceneries of jungle maybe in future only utopic recall store in our memory. Her paintings can be viewed at the HIPFEST arena.

Canon will also be conducting advance workshops on photography on  December 3 while Nikon will conduct a two-day workshop on the December 7 and 8 at the HIPFEST arena where interested persons have been invited to participate.