The event was to be held from December 7 to 9 last year but had to be rescheduled in the last minute due to the Oting massacre
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Thursday witnessed hectic preparations for the much awaited “3-Day Musik-A Festival” as the same begins from Friday (February 18). The festival will culminate on February 20 at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), 6th Mile, Sovima, Nagaland.
The event was to be held from December 7 to 9 last year but had to be rescheduled in the last minute due to the Oting massacre in December. However, with the COVID situation, they could not organize the much awaited event even in the month of January incurring heavy financial loses.
But with the recent communiqué being issued by the Nagaland government on reopening of schools and allowing to resume other activities in the state, the Musik-A festival organizers felt it to leave no stone unturned in order make its “dream project” a grand success despite having to face many challenges including pulling out by many renowned sponsors since its inceptions to organize it and make it into a reality.
In an interaction with this Correspondent on Thursday, the man behind the music festival, Alobo Naga, an internationally acclaimed Naga musician, who has sketched his own “portrait” in the international music scenario and had brought laurels to his own state, region and the nation, has candidly admitted that the “Musik-A Festival” was a dream project and had planned for many years including for the young artistes and the young entrepreneurs who were and are looking forward for it.
Also disclosing that it was not an easy journey for him and his team after they had to refund the air tickets and fees for the international bands and artistes which they had invited to perform in the same venue before the COVID-19 restrictions on international travels, night curfews being imposed, Alobo said they almost gave up their “dream project” but with his team’s payer and support, the three day festival would come into reality from February 18 to 20 at the same venue on February 18 starting 3.30 pm with the “Laugh Out Loud”, a first of its kind comedy festival in the State with renowned comedians of the state including our very own Mr Smile, Aseno Ayemi aka Naga Komolika, Hopong Naga, Hobi Tsang, Rocket Vlogs, Sunup Lemtur, and also the “African Amakishu”, while the infamous “Inglish Maker” from Assam, who all them over the years have won millions of hearts across the globe through their hilarious acts.
“Since it is a music festival, the first evening of the music festival will culminate with a headliner band-90’s band”, where Advisor, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Nagaland, Dr Nicky Kire, will officially launch the “3-Day Musik-A Festival 2022”, informed Alobo.
On the second day of the festival (February 19), which is dubbed as the “Battle Night” for dance and bands, it was learnt that the selected participants both in dance and band battles during the last auditions across the states have already confirmed their participants which would go a long way in boosting the morale of the organizers who had to cancel the much hyped festival since last year.
With Advisor, TAFMA, Nagaland, Teja Meru, as the special guest, Gideon Kithan, a child guitar prodigy will also performed.
However, the later evening is expected to be a memorable one as the most wanted “showdown” has been timed for a “rap battle” between G’nei, from Mizoram, and Nagaland’s very own Moko Koza.
Interestingly, these two online “big battle” whilst insulting each other through their song would be an “epic moment” to witness them live as they face for the “showdown”.
And as the “3-Day Musik-A Festival 2022” ends on February 20, the organizers have left something in store to acknowledge the “Girl Power” inclusive of an EDM Night, where the prowess like Ankita Arya, one of the top female DJ from Delhi, and who has a distinction of playing in the social circuits would be performing live.
Conceptualized as an evening to honour women empowerment, the “Girl Power EDM Night” would also feature two Naga female Djs- Rhon and Aloza and featuring Eva Jamir and Renbeni who would be crooning along with Imnaienla Jamir, who took the internet by storm with her expertise in fiddling with strings of guitars.
Accordingly to present an evening of “women prowess”, Musik-A and team has invited NDPP, Nagaland Women Organization President, Vikali Zhimomi, as special guest.
Besides all the other programmes, special food stalls and other recreational activities have been looked into for a family outing in the proposed three day events for which all have been invited.
Stating that Rs 250 have been charged as entry fee for the whole three days festival (earlier Rs.300), the organizing team have requested all those visiting the venue to strictly adhere to the SOPs throughout the festival by wearing face mask.
They also mentioned that if necessary, those without masks would be provided free of costs.