Nagaland: Rio, A R Rahman announce Naga International Studio in Kohima

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and music maestro A R Rahman on December 26 announced the setting up ‘Naga International Studio’, a world-class music and creative facility in Kohima, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s cultural and creative ecosystem.
According to reports, the studio has been conceptualised by Rahman and is envisioned as a comprehensive creative hub featuring state-of-the-art recording facilities, a performance auditorium and advanced infrastructure to support music production and artistic collaboration. The initiative aims to provide young and emerging artists from Nagaland and the wider North-East region access to global-standard facilities while staying rooted in their cultural identity.
Expressing his gratitude during the announcement, Rahman described Nagaland as a land with a rare and deeply authentic musical soul. He said the Naga International Studio is intended to serve as a space where the region’s rich musical heritage can merge with world-class creativity, enabling artists to collaborate, experiment and create music that resonates beyond national boundaries.
Rahman also thanked chief minister Neiphiu Rio, the state government and the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) for their vision and support in bringing the project to life.
On the occasion, Rahman also unveiled the trailer of the documentary ‘Headhunting to Beatboxing’, directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by him. The documentary traces Nagaland’s musical renaissance and highlights the evolution of its creative identity, reflecting the changing cultural narrative of the region.
In a post on X, Rio said the studio will serve as a hub for nurturing talent, storytelling, and producing world-class music and creative content inspired by Naga culture. He thanked Rahman for recognising the potential of the Naga people and for investing in the state.
In a joint Instagram post by A R Rahman, Riyasdeen Riyan and MyGov Nagaland, the announcement was described as a privilege, underlining the immense musical talent found across Nagaland and the North East. The post noted that this talent is shaped by a living cultural heritage and expressed hope that the studio would open new pathways for artists to flourish, inspire and contribute to India’s creative economy.
The Naga International Studio has been designed by Bluecube Architects in collaboration with Riyasdeen Riyan, with facilitation from TaFMA and the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).
Once operational, the studio is expected to position Kohima as a key destination for music, collaboration and creative innovation in the region.
Advisor to CM and IDAN chairman Abu Metha and TaFMA chairman Theja Meru were also present on the occasion.