The North East Spring Festival 2026, also known as the Festival of North East, will be held from February 26 to 28 at the NEZCC Complex, Dimapur, bringing together a vibrant confluence of folk, tribal and contemporary cultural expressions from across the country. The festival is being organised by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, in collaboration with the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
This year’s edition will be celebrated alongside the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026, creating a vibrant cultural bridge between the North Eastern and South-Central regions of India. All programmes during the three-day event will commence from 5:00 PM onwards.
The festival aims to promote and preserve the rich folk and tribal cultural heritage of North East India while providing a national platform to traditional performing artistes. It also seeks to encourage cultural exchange between North East and South-Central states and strengthen national integration through cultural unity. A special emphasis has been placed on youth engagement through folk, tribal, band and choir performances, reflecting a blend of tradition and contemporary appeal.
Cultural groups from all eight North Eastern states will participate, showcasing diverse traditional art forms. From Arunachal Pradesh, Rikhampada led by Nabam Sonil will feature 12 artistes. Assam will present Bihu Nach led by Bishnupriya Gogoi with 15 artistes, and Daosri Delai led by Juri Boro with 13 artistes. Manipur will showcase Lai Haraoba, Thang-Ta and Cheirol Jagoi under the leadership of Mutum Herojit Singh with 12 performers. Meghalaya will present Wangala led by Jingjang A Sangma with 12 artistes. Mizoram’s Cheraw will be presented by the Art & Culture Department, Government of Mizoram with 15 artistes. Nagaland will be represented by Nzanta led by Ovungbeni Ovung with 12 artistes and Tenem led by Guru Rarenbenba with 15 artistes. Sikkim will present Magar Nritya through the Culture Department, Government of Sikkim with 12 artistes, while Tripura will showcase Hojagiri led by Debasish Reang with 12 artistes. Altogether, 130 folk artistes from the North East are set to participate.
To connect with younger audiences, prominent musical groups from the region will also perform. Blue Temptation from Shillong and Coronation Choir from Dimapur will take the stage on February 26, while 6 Strings from Guwahati and Bhramos from Kohima will perform on February 27, adding contemporary energy to the traditional showcase.
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Under the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 segment, 83 artistes from SCZCC states will present a spectrum of dance and music traditions from central and southern India. Madhya Pradesh will feature Badhai and Norta led by Umesh Kumar Namdeo. Maharashtra will present Gondhal, Jagran and Jogwa led by Madhavi Jadhav. Telangana will showcase Bathukamma and Bonalu led by Raghu. Karnataka will present Bessu Kamsale led by Shantha Mallikarjun C and Devi Nritya led by Sneha Purushottam Gouda. Chhattisgarh will feature Panthi Nritya led by Uttam Kumar Devhare and a Folk and Tribal Instrumental presentation led by Sanju Kumar Naik.
The festival is also being organized in coordination with programmes under Bharat Ko Jano and the Border Area Programme, further strengthening its national outreach. Following the Dimapur leg from February 26 to 28, extended programmes are scheduled for March 2 and 3 at Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh and March 5 and 6 at Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya.
The event is expected to strengthen inter-regional cultural dialogue, promote the intangible cultural heritage of North East India, enhance national visibility of traditional art forms, increase youth participation and public engagement, and boost cultural tourism in Nagaland and the wider North Eastern region.
The festival is being led by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee and Director, NEZCC, Dimapur, Dr. Prashanna Gogoi, along with Astha M. Karlekar, Director, SCZCC, Nagpur.
