The Nagaland Music Safari, a Music Task Force initiative involving district and state level competitions, will kick off at Mon on 9th September 2008. As declared by the State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during the Independence Day celebrations at Kohima this year to ‘promote music as an industry’, the Music Task Force, Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland, is organizing district and state level music competitions as an annual event.
The aim of Nagaland Music Safari is to reach out to those untapped talented musicians who have not had the opportunity for such exposure and are deserving of such platforms. This promotional effort is grounded on the concept of a vibrant music industry that requires an impetus and constructive support to operate with renewed energy in the years ahead.
The district level competitions will begin at Mon on 9th September 2008 onwards and culminate on 14th October 2008 at Kohima. The Nagaland Music Safari competitions will be held at Longleng (12th September), Tuensang (16th September), Zunheboto (19th September), Phek (23rd September), Kiphire (26th September), Peren (30th September), Wokha (3rd October), Mokokchung (7th October), Dimapur (10th October). Winners in the districts will vie for the crowns at the culminating State Level competitions on 30th October 2008 at Kohima. The competitive categories include solo vocal and band, with cash incentives and musical instruments as prizes for the winners.
The Music Task Force, with the help of District Event Managers/NGOs also hopes to provide a platform for organized choirs and differently abled individuals deserving of an audience. The Music Task Force will also liaise with the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society in their efforts to controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS menace alongwith exposure of those musicians who are afflicted with the disease and need support.