Aizawl: Mizoram’s very own band, The Prophets, has been declared the 1st Runner-Up at Ticket to Hornbill, India’s largest band competition. The Prophets will now perform at the prestigious 25th Hornbill Festival, held from December 1-10, 2024 in Nagaland. Known as the ‘Festival of Festivals,’ the Hornbill Festival is a grand cultural event celebrating Naga heritage and the cultural diversity of the state.
Eric Renza, The Prophets’ guitarist, was recognized as the Best Guitarist and was awarded an Ibanez guitar for his stellar performance. The competition saw around 130 bands vying for the top spot, with 30 bands shortlisted to compete at the Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts (RCEMPA), Jotsoma, Kohima, Nagaland, from October 18-21, 2024. Four of these bands hailed from Mizoram, showcasing the region’s rich musical talent.
In the grand finale, Fifth Note from Nagaland claimed the first prize, receiving a cash prize of ₹20 lakhs. The Prophets secured the second position with a prize of ₹10 lakhs, while Project Anonymous, also from Nagaland, came third, winning ₹5 lakhs.
Mizoram has a strong legacy at the Hornbill Rock Contest, with Reverse Tragedy winning in 2015 and Avora Records taking first place in 2017.
The Hornbill Festival, conceptualized in 2000, is a ten-day annual tourism event organized by the Government of Nagaland to celebrate the state’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The 25th edition of this festival promises to be a grand showcase of Naga traditions.
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