Kohima: Akashvani Kohima marked 90 years of Akashvani’s service to the nation with a musical concert held on Friday evening at the auditorium of the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts at T. Khel, Model Village, Kohima.
The musical evening featured performances by the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts Choir and Manchai Phom, runner-up of NE Body Can Body Sing 2017, who also emerged runner-up at Fusion of the Band Hindi 2026 organised by the Indian Army’s Jack in the Box Band and won the Best Vocalist award at the event. 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 later performed with her band, Seyie_Intrepid, showcasing an unreleased folk fusion piece titled Legacy. Students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Kohima presented the National Anthem.
Delivering the welcome address, Head of Programme Ella Kayina highlighted the uniqueness and authenticity of tribal music broadcast on Akashvani Kohima, describing it as distinct from Hindi film and Western music.
While noting that Hindi songs are popular and entertaining, she said, “Tribal music carries the voice of our land, our traditions, and our identity.” She added that listening to both creates a balance between modern entertainment and cultural roots.
Kayina also stressed the need to improve current trends in tribal music through mentoring and grading artists to help them advance in their careers. She emphasised that music is a collaborative effort where lyricists, composers and performers should receive equal recognition.
Observing that in tribal music the same individual often writes, composes and performs songs, she said this may not always produce the best results. Citing noted musicians A. R. Rahman and Bhupen Hazarika as exceptional examples of artists who successfully combined all three roles, she remarked that while some people are gifted in writing, others excel in composing or singing.
She added that songs can achieve greater artistic value when strong lyrics are paired with skilled composition and a good voice.
Kayina further stated that Akashvani Kohima plays an important role in grooming artists and helping them upgrade their skills. She noted that artists from modern, devotional and folk music backgrounds can appear for auditions conducted by the Audition Board established at every Akashvani station.
Highlighting the significance of the Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan, she described it as a prestigious annual music festival organised by All India Radio since 1954 to promote Indian classical and folk music featuring higher-graded artists.
She pointed out that Meghalaya is currently the only state in the North East with higher-graded tribal folk artists and called for greater efforts in this area.
The HoP also appealed to Dialect Assignees to identify talented music artists, encourage them to appear for auditions and support their growth in the field of music.
Among those present at the programme were Neihunuo Sorhie, officials from the Press Information Bureau Kohima, staff of the Nagaland College of Music and Fine Arts, and personnel of Akashvani Kohima, including casual assignees and well-wishers.