DIMAPUR, JUNE 21 (MExN): The Jakarta Festival, which commemorated the anniversary of Indonesia’s capital city, witnessed Naga artists act as cultural ambassadors for the state. The Handshake Concert, organized by the Rattle and Hum society music society provided the key highlight of the day’s festivities on June 19. The festival also saw representation from Nagaland led by Advisor to the Music Task Force and MLA, Khriehu Leizietsu, who was the Honored Guest. A press note informed that he formally exchanged gifts with the festival organizers and gave away presents and gifts on behalf of the festival to performers’ from Indonesia and India.
Grammy Award Winner and Global Ambassador of the Rattle and Hum Music Society, Pandit Viswa Mohan Bhatt, who enthralled the audience with his performance, said that he was in love with Nagaland, its people and the beautiful land. Artists from Nagaland, apart from performing at the concert also clubbed up with renowned Indonesian artists for special performances.
Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland addressed the festival during the Handshake Concert. He projected Nagaland as a state with pristine natural beauty, rich bio-diversity, unique culture and heritage. Speaking about the youth in Nagaland, Metha said that the Naga youths have a special vibrancy that “has to be seen to be believed.”
Expounding on India, Abu Metha said that “Incredible India” is an emerging economy, a centre of learning and education with a vast and diverse culture which is all powered by more than a billion people. He assured that India has something incredible to offer every visitor. Speaking on the relationship between India and Indonesia, Metha said the two countries have shared a special bond that goes back hundreds of years, adding that the handshake concert aims to promote international peace and understanding through the medium of art, culture and music. He added that the language of art, music and culture was universal and transcended all boundaries. The message of the need for global peace and international unity was best exemplified through the talents and aspirations of the youth and the cultural ambassadors, he said.
He hoped that through the handshake concert, the people of Indonesia and India would strengthen ties and bring people together by building bridges and making new friendships one handshake at a time. Inviting the international community to visit Nagaland, Metha said “anytime is good to visit but the Hornbill Festival is a special time as the festival is one of the most renowned international festivals in the entire region.” Later the Nagaland delegation met with Indonesian officials and discussed future endeavors, strengthening ties and exchanges and mutual cooperation.
Special guests at the event included N. Ramakrishnan from the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, opposition MLA from Nagaland, Khekaho; Project Director, Music Task Force, G. Chishi; Joint Commissioner for Income Tax, Angam Saiza and Managing Director of Hornbill Finance, Chuba Ao amongst others.
