Dimapur, February 24 (MExN): The North East Spring Festival 2026 (Festival of North East) will be held from February 26 to 28 at the NEZCC Complex, Dimapur, Nagaland. The festival is being organised by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, in collaboration with the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The festival will be celebrated alongside the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026, creating a cultural confluence between the North Eastern and South-Central regions of the country.
According to a press release, the festival aims to promote and preserve the rich folk and tribal cultural heritage of North East India while providing a national platform to traditional performing artistes.
It seeks to encourage cultural exchange between North East and South-Central states and strengthen national integration through cultural unity. A special emphasis has been placed on youth engagement through folk, tribal, band and choir performances. All programmes will commence from 5:00 PM onwards each day.
Cultural groups from all eight North Eastern states will participate, showcasing diverse traditional art forms. From Arunachal Pradesh, Rikhampada with 12 artistes will be led by Nabam Sonil. Assam will present Bihu Nach with 15 artistes led by Bishnupriya Gogoi and Daosri Delai with 13 artistes led by Juri Boro. Manipur will present Lai Haraoba, Thang-Ta and Cheirol Jagoi with 12 artistes led by Mutum Herojit Singh. Meghalaya will present Wangala with 12 artistes led by Jingjang A. Sangma. Mizoram will present Cheraw with 15 artistes by the Art & Culture Department, Government of Mizoram. Nagaland will present Nzanta with 12 artistes led by Ovungbeni Ovung and Tenem with 15 artistes led by Guru Rarenbenba. Sikkim will present Magar Nritya with 12 artistes by the Culture Department, Government of Sikkim. Tripura will present Hojagiri with 12 artistes led by Debasish Reang. A total of 130 folk artistes from the North East will participate.
Band and choir performances will also be held to connect with younger audiences. Blue Temptation from Shillong and Coronation Choir from Dimapur will perform on February 26. 6 Strings from Guwahati and Bhramos from Kohima will perform on February 27.
Under the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026, 83 artistes from SCZCC states will present various dance and music traditions. Madhya Pradesh will present Badhai and Norta led by Umesh Kumar Namdeo. Maharashtra will present Gondhal, Jagran and Jogwa led by Madhavi Jadhav. Telangana will present Bathukamma and Bonalu led by Raghu. Karnataka will present Bessu Kamsale led by Shantha Mallikarjun C and Devi Nritya led by Sneha Purushottam Gouda. Chhattisgarh will present Panthi Nritya led by Uttam Kumar Devhare and Folk & Tribal Instrumental led by Sanju Kumar Naik.
The festival is also being organised in coordination with programmes under Bharat Ko Jano and the Border Area Programme. Extended programmes are scheduled from February 26 to 28 in Dimapur, from March 2 to 3 in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, and from March 5 to 6 in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya.
The release stated that the festival is expected to strengthen inter-regional cultural dialogue, promote the intangible cultural heritage of North East India, enhance national visibility of traditional art forms, increase youth participation and public engagement, and boost cultural tourism in Nagaland and the North Eastern region.
The festival is being led by Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee and Director, NEZCC, Dimapur, Dr Prashanna Gogoi, and Director, SCZCC, Nagpur, Astha M Karlekar.
“The North East Spring Festival 2026, together with the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026, promises to be a grand celebration of India’s cultural diversity. The three-day event in Dimapur will provide a dynamic platform for folk artistes, tribal performers, musicians and cultural enthusiasts from across the country. Through such initiatives, the Ministry of Culture continues its commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage,” the release stated.
