Popularising Arts in Nagaland
By Asangba Tzudir
The cultural landscape of Nagaland resonates with history, literature, creativity, and identity. On February 2, 2026, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla reminded us that “a society that invests in arts and literature invests in its soul.” His speech at the Governor’s Award 2025 in Kohima underscored how the state’s creative expressions ranging from music to literature are not mere leisurely activities but very much a living memory and identity of the people.
The Governor’s words resonate on many levels. In a rapid world of modernisation, art connects between generations, preserves cultural and heritage, and fosters unity in the midst of diversity. Yet, when we look at arts as the soul of society, it must be matched by broader engagement from the general public, policymakers, and cultural institutions if Nagaland’s rich artistic traditions are to grow and flourish widely beyond the celebrations.
The land of festivals certainly has cultural assets to cherish. The state’s vibrant festivals starting with the most noted Hornbill Festival draw locals and international tourists alike to experience dances, music, and crafts of the Nagas and which have become powerful showcases of tradition and creative talent. Other events such as literature festivals and youth cultural contests illustrate on this creative pulse. However, inspite of all these vibrant exhibitions of culture, the deeper popularisation of arts in everyday life remains still has a long way to go if art is to be considered as the soul.
Arts access and participation revolves around Kohima and Dimapur mostly. Rural communities, where much of the traditional knowledge and creative practice originates, can be under-represented in mainstream platforms and media. A conscious, structured effort to support artists across all districts from urban venues to village clusters would help rationalise access to culture and its expressions. This includes not only funding but also infrastructure that will mentor younger generations that are growing with a different mindset.
While awards like the Governor’s Honour brings attention and create a spotlight on excellence, recognition needs to go further into education. Integrating arts like language, music, dance, crafts, into school curriculums from the earliest years can instil interest, pride and competence. Initiatives like state-level Utsav programmes show promise by allowing students to showcase creative talent, but these need sustained promotion and funding. Arts education provides strength to culture and gives youth a means to narrate their own stories in a globalised world where narratives are hotly contested.
Further, economic incentives and market linkages are critical. Nagaland’s artisan communities produce textiles which are not ordinary, woodwork, and indigenous crafts. These are cultural expressions with economic potential beyond exhibitions. Platforms that connect craftspeople to wider markets can help sustain livelihoods while also preserving craftsmanship. Business ventures that shift local creativity into regional and national markets can create pathways to reframe art from being culturally significant to economically viable. This will encourage more young people to pursue artistic careers.
Media and digital platforms must be productive engaged to amplify the voices and creations of Nagas in this field. This is where storytelling, music, and visual arts will find a new life in different online spaces where local arts and creations can be celebrated vibrantly. Beyond sporadic headlines and appearances, the various forms of media can make arts a constant conversation.
Ultimately, the success of Nagaland’s cultural soul thrives on participation and not just passive observation. The state’s diversity of tribal traditions, languages, and artistic forms constitutes a huge reservoir of creative resource that can create global attention. This calls for nurturing at grassroots levels, and which is then integrated into education, and buoyed by markets.
If Nagaland, as the Governor hopes, truly commits to expand platforms for artistic expression, then its culture will not only endure, but for a people that seems to be losing its sense of identity, this resurgence will lead in shaping the identity and future of its people.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
