The Ura Academy (UA), in collaboration with the Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, and Kohima College, Kohima, organized a felicitation programme on Saturday to honour Theja Rio, the director of the award-winning film Ade (On a Sunday).
The event, held at Ura Academy Hall, Mission Compound, Kohima, celebrated the first Tenyidie-language film to win an award at the Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films category at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024.
In his address, the President of Ura Academy, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, congratulated Theja Rio and his team for their outstanding achievement. He praised their meticulous efforts in producing a film of such high standards, calling the honour a source of pride for the Naga community at large.
Dr. Liezietsu urged the Tenyimi community to uphold their cultural heritage, remain upright, and support one another. Highlighting the importance of the Tenyidie language, he emphasized that a living language must continue to evolve and develop. He called for concerted efforts from the Tenyidie-speaking community to promote and preserve their language.
Describing Tenyidie as the most advanced Naga language, Dr. Liezietsu expressed the need to envision its establishment as a major Naga language, pointing out that it is the only Naga language taught at the university level.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
In his speech, Theja Rio expressed gratitude to God for His blessings and thanked Ura Academy for organizing the felicitation programme, which he said deeply encouraged him and his team. He shared that the film, set in Pfuchama village, depicts a young boy reminiscing about his childhood. Rio also appreciated the contributions of people from various nations who were involved in the production of the film.
To commemorate the occasion, the film Ade (On a Sunday) was screened for the audience.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Medongulie Tseikhanuo, Associate Professor at Kohima College, Kohima. Rev. Tsolie Chase offered a prayer, and Daso Paphino, Vice-President of Ura Academy, lit the ceremonial lamp.
