Magnum Opus VIII: Where art, culture & music meet

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | October 25

Creating an avenue for the budding artists in different art forms, to get in touch with professionals on a personal level, the Magnum Opus VIII 2023 was held today at Green Park, Chümoukedima. Organised by the Act of Kindness Society, the Art & Music festival witnessed different competitions and workshops, which signed off with live concert from various Naga artists. Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, known as ‘Mekhala Mama’ was the special guest at the event, while the second runner up of Miss Nagaland 2022, Jentiren Jamir made a special appearance. 

The participants, mostly students and young adults contested in three major events of the day – art competition, original singing competition and start-up pitch competition. Workshops on copperplate calligraphy, earrings-making and pottery workshop were the other highlights. Stalls from homegrown businesses were set up while the Photography Club Dimapur, Artsy Naga School of Fine Arts, Nagaland Art Center and few others put up their exhibition stalls as well.

Magnum Opus in the true sense of the word means ‘the greatest performance of any particular artist of a particular time,’ said Kishor Dass, core member of the Act of Kindness Society on the sidelines of the festival. Hence, he said the event holds true to their vision of creating a platform for people of all genres of art, where the young talents and seasoned artists alike can exchange expertise, skills and ideas. Dass and the governing body echoed the society’s dream of spreading kindness, no matter the size, wherever they can. The society hopes to expand the event with more items and competitions in the near future, which will especially boost the young entrepreneurs and artists in the State.

Speaking to The Morung Express, Tunavi Achumi, proprietor of Artsy Naga School of Fine Arts said around 45 participants took part in the art competition which had two categories ie, junior and open. They were mainly judged on creativity, originality of work and application of color. 

The theme for the former category was ‘landscape of Nagaland’ while it was an open theme for the latter. Lipoktila Longkumer of The Maple Tree School and Nutele Khesoh of Hope Academy won the first and second prize respectively in the junior category. In the open category, Temjensunep and Toto Swu of Artsy Naga School of Fine Arts were adjudged first and second respectively. The pottery workshop had four participants only, where Achumi guided them on the art of traditional pot-making.

Jewelry designer, Zaben Murry was the resource person for the workshop on earrings making, while calligrapher and illustrator Nenti Kez led the calligraphy workshop.

The winner for the start-up pitch competition went to MRKSA Fusion by Rotila Sangtam, while the runner up was adjudged to Guardian system 23 by Kewigiakhai Mpom, Ayala T Jamir, Medotso Peseyie, Visali Z Sangtam from Livingstone Foundation International School. The two winners will incubate with Educentre School of Business. The winners of the original singing competition could not be accessed during the filing of this report.

The event culminated with Tokaholi Chishi, Temsu Clover, Nikato Y Tamang, The Gluttones, Coronation Choir and Trionix Dance Studio performing at the live concert.