Kohima: As part of the year-long celebration commemorating 90 years of radio broadcasting in India, Akashvani Kohima, Nagaland, in collaboration with the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) and the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), hosted the ‘Voice of the Youth’ Folk Song Competition at RCEMPA, Jotsoma, on Wednesday.
Welcoming the gathering, Ella Kayina, Head of Programme, Akashvani Kohima, said the 90th anniversary of Akashvani marks a significant milestone in preserving India’s broadcasting legacy. She shared that Akashvani Kohima has been organising a series of events to commemorate the occasion, including essay competitions for government school students in both Hindi and English, as well as a Hindi singing competition.
Highlighting Akashvani Kohima’s contribution at the regional and national levels, Kayina noted that the station broadcasts 15 tribal dialect programmes, each 30 minutes long, on its primary channel.
“These dialect programmes are the backbone of our station,” she said, acknowledging the representatives from these programmes present at the event.
Kayina described the competition as a tribute to folk artists whose efforts have preserved the region’s cultural heritage. “Many of them may have passed away, but their legacy remains cherished forever in our hearts. Their contributions have kept our culture alive and greatly shaped Akashvani Kohima into what it is today,” she said.
Encouraging participants, she expressed confidence that the competition would be a journey of learning and self-discovery.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Programme Executive Khriesaniesa Rusta expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations whose collective efforts ensured the success of the event. Speaking on behalf of the Head of Office, Head of Programme, and staff of Akashvani Kohima, he acknowledged the dedication of everyone involved in the preparations. Rusta also thanked NEZCC for sponsoring the prize money and TaFMA for their support.
The Voice of the Youth Folk Song Competition featured vibrant performances by 15 tribes of Nagaland, each showcasing their unique musical traditions and cultural richness. The event celebrated the artistic diversity of the state while underscoring the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous folk traditions.
The Khiamniungan tribe emerged as the winner, bagging the first prize of Rs 50,000, followed by the Konyak tribe, which secured the second prize of Rs 40,000, and the Sangtam tribe, which took home the third prize of Rs 30,000. The Khiamniungan and Zeliang tribes were also awarded Rs 20,000 each in the special category for best traditional attire, while consolation prizes of Rs 10,000 were presented to the Chang, Yimkhiung, Kuki, and Angami tribes.
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