By Anup Sharma | Guwahati
GUWAHATI, November 5: Nagaland will showcase its music, fashion and cultural traditions in New Delhi on November 6 through the Hornbill Cultural Showcase – Ticket to Hornbill 2026, organised by the state government in collaboration with the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA).
The programme, scheduled to take place at Talkatora Stadium from 5 pm, will bring together cultural presentations from Nagaland and the grand finale of a nationwide band competition, offering audiences in the national capital an introduction to the state’s cultural heritage and contemporary creative scene ahead of the Hornbill Festival in December.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the Chief Host, while Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, will be the Co-Host.
Highlighting the state’s tourism outreach, Temjen Imna Along said the showcase would help introduce Delhi audiences to Nagaland’s cultural traditions and contemporary creative talent.
“A performance can spark curiosity in a place, its people, and their stories. Through this showcase, we invite audiences in Delhi to discover Nagaland’s cultural traditions and contemporary creative work, and to visit us during the Hornbill Festival in December. We want that interest to translate into travel, personal connections, and opportunities for our local communities,” he said.
Music, Fashion and Cultural Performances
The cultural programme will open with performances by Azi Rudy, Sentien Kichu and Vetho Rhakho.
An ethnic fusion fashion show presented by the Nagaland Designers’ Association will highlight the state’s emerging design talent. This will be followed by a folk fusion cultural dance performance by The Ao Naga Fusion and a folk fusion song by Densu.
The showcase will also highlight the role of traditional language, music, attire and dance in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge across generations.
Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music & Arts, said presenting these cultural expressions before a national audience would provide recognition to the communities that preserve them while creating opportunities for younger practitioners.
“Language, song, dress, and movement carry knowledge passed between generations. Presenting these expressions to a national audience gives the people who sustain them recognition and an opportunity to explain their meaning. It also creates room for younger practitioners to contribute their own ideas while retaining a connection with their communities,” Meru said.
Ticket to Hornbill 2026 Grand Finale Offers ₹20 Lakh Prize Pool
A major highlight of Ticket to Hornbill 2026 will be the grand finale of Ticket to Hornbill – India’s Biggest Band Battle, featuring emerging bands from different parts of the country.
Presented by Casio India, the competition carries a cash prize pool of ₹20 lakh, along with individual musical instrument prizes valued at ₹5 lakh.
The winning band will also receive an opportunity to perform at the Hornbill Music Festival in Nagaland in December 2026.
According to Theja Meru, the competition aims to provide independent musicians with greater exposure, financial support and opportunities to build professional connections.
“Independent bands need opportunities to test their work in front of unfamiliar audiences and establish professional connections. Ticket to Hornbill offers that exposure, backed by financial support and a performance opportunity at the Hornbill Music Festival. Our aim is to help promising musicians turn recognition into bookings, collaborations, and sustainable careers,” he said.
Nagaland Connects Cultural Promotion with Tourism
The New Delhi showcase forms part of Nagaland’s broader tourism and cultural outreach ahead of the Hornbill Festival, one of the state’s major annual cultural celebrations.
By bringing together traditional performances, contemporary music, fashion and a national-level band competition, the initiative seeks to introduce Nagaland’s cultural identity to a wider audience while creating opportunities for local artists and the independent music community.
The Hornbill Festival 2026 is scheduled to be held from December 1 to 10 at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima.
Through Ticket to Hornbill 2026, Nagaland aims to connect cultural promotion with tourism interest, artistic recognition and professional opportunities for emerging musicians.
