Akashvani Kohima celebrated 90 years of Akashvani’s service to the nation with a musical concert held at the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts Auditorium at T. Khel, Model Village, Kohima.
Delivering the welcome address, Head of Programme (HoP) Ella Kayina highlighted the uniqueness and authenticity of tribal music broadcast on Akashvani Kohima, describing it as distinct from Hindi film and Western music. She said tribal music carries the voice of the land, traditions, and identity, while listening to different genres helps maintain a balance between modern entertainment and cultural roots.
Kayina stressed the need to improve the current trend in tribal music through mentoring and grading of artists to support their professional growth. She emphasised that music is a collaborative effort where lyricists, composers, and performers should receive equal recognition. Referring to noted musicians such as A.R. Rahman and Bhupen Hazarika, she said songs attain greater artistic value when strong lyrics, skilled composition, and a good voice come together.
She also highlighted the role of Akashvani Kohima in grooming artists through auditions conducted by the Audition Board for modern, devotional, and folk music categories. Speaking on the Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan, she described it as a prestigious annual festival organised by All India Radio since 1954 to promote Indian classical and folk music.
Kayina noted that Meghalaya is currently the only state in the Northeast with higher-graded tribal folk artists and called for greater efforts in promoting tribal music talent in Nagaland. She also appealed to Dialect Assignees to identify and encourage talented artists to appear for auditions.
The musical evening featured performances by the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts Choir and singer Manchai Phom, runner-up of NE Body Can Body Sing 2017 and Fusion of the Band Hindi 2026 organised by the Indian Army’s Jack in the Box Band. She performed the Phom song Lungvang Ba along with Hindi songs Lakho Hai Yahan and Yeh Dosti.
Award-winning singer-songwriter and founder of Seyie_Intrepid Northeast India, Seyievinuo Chuzho, presented a solo performance of One Moment in Time and also performed with her band, Seyie_Intrepid, presenting an unreleased folk fusion piece titled Legacy. Students of JNV Kohima presented the National Anthem.
The programme was attented by Padma Neihunuo Sorhie, officials from the Press Information Bureau Kohima, staff of the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts, and Akashvani Kohima, including casual assignees and well-wishers.
