Governor of Nagaland Nand Kishore Yadav has called for concerted efforts to preserve and revitalise the State’s cultural heritage while ensuring that traditions continue to evolve and remain relevant to younger generations.
Addressing the Governor’s Award 2026 ceremony for excellence in Art, Music and Literature at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Lok Bhavan, Kohima, on Saturday, Yadav said art, music and literature were more than creative expressions, as they enabled society to remember its past, understand its present and envision its future.
Congratulating the awardees, he said their achievements reflected years of dedication, creativity, discipline and perseverance, while also embodying Nagaland’s rich cultural spirit. He described the Governor’s Award as one of the highest honours conferred by the Government of Nagaland on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to art, music and literature. Yadav said the award was not merely an occasion to recognise excellence but also an opportunity to reaffirm the collective responsibility of preserving, enriching and carrying forward the State’s cultural heritage.
Highlighting Nagaland’s diversity of communities, languages, traditions, songs, stories, dances, crafts and artistic expressions, the Governor noted that much of the State’s history had been transmitted through oral traditions, folk songs, indigenous knowledge, customary practices, craftsmanship and storytelling. Artists, musicians and writers, he said, were therefore not merely creators but custodians of memory and interpreters of collective identity. Referring to the principles behind the awards, Yadav stressed the importance of originality, innovation, impact and cultural relevance. He said every generation should find its own creative voice, while innovation demonstrated that tradition and modernity need not be opposites. He encouraged artists to explore new techniques and ideas while drawing inspiration from Nagaland’s landscapes, traditions and lived experiences. Describing music as a powerful form of communication that transcends language, he said Nagaland possessed a rich musical heritage encompassing indigenous and folk traditions as well as contemporary, gospel, classical and modern forms. Yadav urged musicians to preserve indigenous musical traditions while continuing to experiment, innovate and collaborate, including by finding new expressions for traditional melodies without losing their roots.
The Governor observed that rapid technological and social changes were transforming Nagaland’s cultural landscape. He said young people should embrace the best of the modern world while remaining connected to their roots. Yadav also called for greater collaboration among educational institutions, cultural organisations, artists, writers and community bodies.
He urged schools, colleges and universities to provide young people with more opportunities to engage with literature, music, visual arts and indigenous traditions, while emerging talent should be identified, nurtured and provided platforms to flourish. He highlighted the role of digital technology in preserving and promoting Nagaland’s cultural traditions through digital archives, recordings, translations and online platforms. At the same time, he cautioned against the loss of indigenous languages and traditional knowledge, noting that the disappearance of a language also meant the loss of a part of humanity’s cultural diversity. Referring to the vision of a Viksit Bharat, Yadav said Nagaland had an important contribution to make and that development should include not only regions and economies but also cultures, languages and creative traditions. He said Nagaland’s cultural heritage could serve as a bridge between the State and the rest of India.
Addressing the awardees, the Governor said the recognition should not be regarded as the culmination of their creative journeys but as encouragement to reach greater heights and inspire the next generation. He called for preserving heritage while giving it new life and honouring the past while allowing young people the freedom to create the future. The Governor’s Award 2026 for Citation and Display of Excellence was conferred on Aku Zeliang and Bendang Walling in Arts, while Divine Connection, Imkonglemba and Joey Woch were recognised in Music. The awards were presented by Governor Nand Kishore Yadav. (Correspondent)