Kohima: Nagaland’s famed ‘Brillante Piano Festival’, renowned for its multi-genre piano competitions, is stepping outside Nagaland for the first time to make its mark in the vibrant city of Bangalore.
At a press conference held at the Kohima Press Club (KPC) office on Friday, festival figures including Akhriezo Kire, Vikhietuonuo Rutsa, Khyochano TCK, Dr Keneilhoulie Medom, and Namang T Chang revealed details of the event, which will take place from September 28 to 29.
In its 5th edition, the festival continues to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and nations, expanding its reach and influence.
The festival’s PR head Vikhietuonuo Rutsa revealed that the upcoming mega festival will witness representation from 18 countries — including the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, France, Australia, Latvia, Thailand, Nepal, Canada, USA, Budapest, India, Russia,
Scotland, Japan, Bhutan, Congo, UK and Spain, and 16 Indian states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, Assam, Haryana, Telangana, Nagaland, Kerala, and Goa.
Festival director Khyochano TCK informed that this year’s participants include international stars like Lydian Nadaswaram, winner of the world’s best pianist title, and performance by the chief minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma, among other headliners.
She said that Brillante is known for its emphasis on collaboration, and this year’s edition will reflect that spirit in full force, with over 20 groups set to perform and a wide range of competitions as they introduce three new competition categories including the “flying ninja” challenge for the fastest fingers in piano playing.
Khyochano informed that one of the festival’s most exciting features is its “street piano” event, which will be held on Church Street, a lively hub in Bangalore. Previously introduced in Kohima, this interactive experience is expected to allow passersby to join in the festival’s music.
Another highlight of the festival is its inclusive programme for musicians with disabilities called the Specially Abled Musicians (SAM) programme, a signature feature that celebrates the festival’s commitment to accessibility and creativity.
Why Bangalore?
Khyochano explained that after four successful editions in Nagaland, the organisers felt it was time to grow and take the festival out of the state, while still celebrating other events within Nagaland.
She said that the festival which began as a local event in 2017 quickly evolved into a national sensation by 2019. Like all thriving organisations, Brillante Piano Festival has grown organically, embracing the essence of Nagaland and now sharing its cultural brilliance beyond borders.
She observed that Bangalore, known for its rich cultural heritage and thriving music scene, offered the perfect stage for this expansion. Bangalore, she added, offers the perfect stage for Brillante Piano Festival’s with its thriving music scene.
Collaborating with TaFMA, Tourism department and the Department of Industries and Commerce, she shared that the festival will also showcase Naga entrepreneurship, further blending art with innovation.
Dr Kenei Medom also informed that a 12-member folk group from Chedema village, will present folk songs at the festival, after which the cultural troupe will head to Kochi in Kerela to represent the state at another event.
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The festival’s logistics and operations head Akhriezo Kire shared that the upcoming two-day event in Bangalore is anticipated to draw a staggering 20,00,000 attendees—a dramatic surge compared to the 15,000 recorded during the fourth edition.
The festival promises an action-packed experience, with competitions, concerts, workshops, and panel discussions running concurrently across two venues. Spanning the entire two-day event, activities will kick off daily at 10 AM and continue until 10 PM, offering non-stop musical immersion.
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