DIMAPUR, Dec 10 - As the curtains fell on 10-day Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, about 15 km from Kohima, this evening, Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman announced signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Nagaland, and the KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) Chennai to promote Naga musicians.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Rahman signed the MoU to make KMMC the knowledge partner for the TaFMA. Rahman said, �Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and I have agreed to tie up KMMC and TaFMA to make the Nagas amazing musicians.�
He said KMMC houses commercial recording studios and the Sunshine Orchestra for underprivileged children. With the inking of this agreement, the Nagaland chapter of the Sunshine Orchestra was officially launched.
The music maestro expressed his appreciation for the musical talents he discovered during his visit to the Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home in Kohima on Monday.
The KM Music Conservatory is a state-of-the-art facility established in 2008 by the AR Rahman Foundation that offers part-time and full-time courses in Hindustani and Western classical music and music technology. Under Rahman�s patronage, the conservatory offers programmes for all ages and abilities.
Meanwhile, a unity dance comprising all Naga cultural troupes marked the end of the festival of culture, tradition and music. Visitors from across the country and the world, including local residents, witnessed the vibrant cultural performances presented by Naga cultural troupes.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and adviser to the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry R Khing were the hosts of the final programme.
The final cultural extravaganza presented under the aegis of the Nagaland Art and Culture Department was attended by Bedica Kant, wife of the NITI Aayog CEO, as the special guest.
The 10th day of �Cultural Connect�, the cultural extravaganza of the Hornbill Festival, presented a glimpse of the rich culture of songs and dances of the tribes of Nagaland.
A total of 17 cultural troupes from different tribes of Nagaland braved the chilly Kisama weather to give a glimpse of the unique culture and practices of the Nagas.
Adviser to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department Namri Nchang was the chief host of the final session of the Cultural Connect.
