Skip to content Skip to navigation

Rare honour for Naga music

By AT News |

Some mesmerizing Naga music will reverberate in a castle on a rocky island off the coast of Italy and the heights of the Himalayas around the same time this month end as filmmaker-critic Utpal Borpujari’s documentary “Songs of the Blue Hills” has been invited to three more international film festivals.

The film has been selected to the 12th Ischia Film Festival held under the patronage of the President of Italy in the medieval Aragonese Castle located on the Mediterranean Sea, the 7th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) and the Ladakh International Film Festival after having already earned high appreciation in six international film festivals.

Produced by Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an organisation under the Union Ministry of Culture, the film features an eclectic range of Naga musicians who are practising the folk music of various Naga tribes in their pure and contemporary forms.

The 96-minute film earlier got invited to the Doc Outlook International Market of the Visions du Reel Film Festival (Nyon, Switzerland), Gothenburg Independent Film Festival (Sweden), New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), Eyes & Lenses Ethnographic Film Festival (Warsaw, Poland), the World Music & Independent Film Festival (Washington) and Signs 2014 Documentary Film Festival, Kochi.

It has now been invited for the “Documentari fuori concorso”section of the Ischia Film Festival which, complementing its unique venue, focuses on the importance of reflecting cultures and locations in audiovisual works.

“Every year, the festival presents a selection of films from all over the world, emphasizing the cultural identity or the landscape's features of a certain territory through the audiovisual narration,” says a spokesperson of the festival which was designed in 2002 by Michelangelo Messina for “The Association Art Movie e Music”.

The Festival is an important part of a wider project called "Cinema and territory" that aims at protecting cultural and landscape peculiarities of territories in order to promote them through the audiovisual medium. 

“Songs of the Blue Hills” features some fascinating music as well as dialogue with musicians like veteran Ao folk singers Sademmeren Longkumer and A. Bendangyanger Tsuwar Jamir, Chakhesang folk veteran Zachunu Keyho, classical pianist Nise Meruno, and groups like the Tetseo Sisters, the Nagaland Singing Ambassadors, the Chancel Choir, Ru’a, Üsou’s Instrumental, Abiogenesis, Nagagenous, Baptist Youth Choir Poilwa Village and Purple Fusion.

In addition, experts such as Dr A Lanunugsang, Lipokmar Tzudir, Gugs Chishi, Theja Meru, Vivee Peseye, Som Kamei, Zubeno Mozhui and Dr Abraham Lotha have shared their views on the changing face of Naga music in recent times. 

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Tension in Itanagar

16 Dec 2015 - 12:12pm | AT News Itanagar
Amid a volatile political situation Arunachal Pradesh assembly begins its session on Wednesday. Much to a major concern for the security forces deployed in and around Itanagar, a section of Congress...

BPCPI demands Ranjan release

12 Oct 2014 - 10:20pm | Hantigiri Narzary
The demand for immediate release of Ranjan Daimary gathers momentum with a huge rally in Kokrajhar on Sunday asking for prime minister's intervention. The Kokrajhar district committee of the...
A female western Hoolock Gibbon in Chandubi forest, Assam. (©Benjamin Kaman), A male western Hoolock Gibbon in Chandubi forest, Assam. (©Abhilash Rabha)

Hoolock Gibbons in Chandubi forests

5 Mar 2021 - 1:23pm | Benjamin Kaman
Gibbon is the only ape species found in Indian subcontinent. The uniqueness of Hoolock Gibbon is that it is found in only three countries in the world- South West China, North East India and East...

ULFA submits charter of demands before Centre

5 Aug 2011 - 10:44pm | editor
ULFA and the Centre are all set to hold the first round of formal talks on Wednesday next. The count down began when the banned outfit has submitted their charter of demands before the Union home...

Other Contents by Author

Celebrating Asomiya: A Classical Language’s Journey to Recognition

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs under the Assam government marked its 53rd anniversary with a historic event celebrating the recognition of Asomiya (Assamese) as a classical language. Held at the iconic Rabindra Bhawan, the evening highlighted the significance of this achievement and charted a roadmap for the language's preservation and growth in written and colloquial forms. The courtyard of Rabindra Bhawan, adorned with vibrant decorations and a podium beneath lush Bokul trees, hosted an enthusiastic audience of dignitaries and scholars. As the sun dipped below the Brahmaputra’s horizon, the program commenced with three distinguished panelists sharing their insights. The...

Protester Killed During Violent Clashes in Manipur; Curfew Imposed and Internet Suspended in Seven Districts

Tensions escalated in Manipur’s violence-hit Jiribam district on Sunday night as clashes between security forces and protesters turned deadly, officials reported. A young protester, identified as 21-year-old K. Athouba, was fatally shot amid the chaos. A police official confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine who fired the fatal shot, while protesters allege that a Manipur Police special commando unit was responsible. Two others were reported injured in the incident. The violence erupted as mobs attacked and vandalized properties belonging to political leaders and various party offices. According to police reports, the unrest began at Babupara before spreading to other...

Tiger Carcass Found in Kaziranga National Park

The body of a tiger was discovered in the Horonbali Chapori area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam’s Biswanath district, on Monday. Forest guards came across the carcass during a routine patrol and alerted senior officials, who subsequently arrived at the scene to recover the remains. Preliminary findings suggest that the tiger may have died as a result of a fight with another tiger. To confirm the exact cause of death, samples will be sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis. The disposal of the carcass was carried out under the supervision of senior forest officials and veterinary doctors. Kaziranga National Park, recognized as a Tiger Reserve...

Guwahati Police Busts Cybercrime Gang, Arrests 8

Guwahati Police has successfully busted a cybercrime gang involved in a major fraud operation. Eight individuals were arrested following a raid at a lodge in Boragaon. The gang was operating a network of "mule bank accounts" to facilitate the transfer of illegally obtained money. The arrested individuals were involved in opening bank accounts using fake identities and documents. They would then hand over these accounts to cybercriminals who used them to launder money obtained through online scams. The police seized numerous items, including mobile phones, ATM cards, cheque books, and electronic devices, from the arrested individuals. A case has been registered against the accused, and...

Government Extends AFSPA in Manipur Amidst Ethnic Clashes

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to six police stations across five districts in Manipur. This decision, effective immediately, will remain in place until March 31, 2025. The affected areas include Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts. The extension is aimed at empowering security forces to conduct coordinated operations and address the ongoing ethnic violence and insurgent activity in the region. The MHA's decision follows a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur, which continues to be volatile...

Polling for 6 Assam, Meghalaya assembly seats ends largely peacefully

The voting under by-polls in six assembly constituencies of Assam and Meghalaya, conducted to fill up the vacant seats (as the respective legislators had shifted their focus to the national politics after winning the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls), ended largely peacefully on Wednesday evening with a satisfactory over 70% voters’ turn out. The fate of all candidates is stored in the electronic voting machines, which will be opened on 23 November next. Along with these seats, by-polls for over 40 assembly constituencies (along with two Lok Sabha seats) in other parts of India are on the card along with the State assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand before the counting day...

Asam Sahitya Sabha UK Chapter Mourns the Loss of Its First President

It is with deep sorrow that the Asam Sahitya Sabha UK Chapter announces the passing of its first president, Shri Bhuban Baruah, who breathed his last this morning at Bexleyheath, London (1932 - November 1, 2024). The news has cast a shadow of grief over the UK Chapter and the wider Assamese community. Shri Baruah, who emigrated over five decades ago, was a stalwart Assamese by heart and a knowledgeable yet humble individual. Born in Digboi, he pursued higher education at the University of Calcutta, earning his law degree and later completing his Master’s in Law from Banaras Hindu University with distinction. He worked as the Chief Correspondent for the Shillong Assembly before coming to...

Anganwadi Workers Protest Demanding Pay Hike

The Assam State Committee of Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association (ASAWWA) staging a protest in front of the Directorate of the Women and Child Welfare Department in Ujan Bazar, Guwahati on November 4. The protesters demanded the government publish the official notice regarding a proposed salary increase for Anganwadi workers and assistants. The association is advocating for transparency and timely communication regarding the salary adjustments, which are crucial for the livelihood of its members. The protest underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Anganwadi workers in securing fair compensation for their vital contributions to community health and education.

Guwahati Residents Rally Against Tree Felling for Flyover Project

Guwahati, Oct. 29:  A wave of protest swept through Guwahati on Tuesday as concerned citizens gathered at Dighalipukhuri to oppose the felling of numerous ancient trees for the construction of a flyover connecting Noonmati and Dighalipukhuri. Protesters, united under the banner "Save Our Trees, Save Our Heritage," expressed deep concern over the potential environmental impact and loss of the city's natural beauty. They argued that the 200-year-old trees, vital to the ecosystem, act as natural air purifiers, reduce urban heat, and provide a sanctuary for migratory birds. Community leaders and environmental activists have pledged to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to halt...

Awareness Program on Child Protection Held in Baksa

KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: A significant awareness program was organized on Monday at Jalah Girls’ High School in Baksa district, focusing on child protection mechanisms, human trafficking, and the safety and empowerment of women and children. The initiative was a joint effort by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the ICDS project, Jalah, under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department. Dr. Lipika Barman, the District Child Protection Officer of Baksa (in-charge), presided over the event. Kalpana Das, CDPO of the ICDS Project, Jalah, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the...