Kohima, 15th August 2026 (Nokinketer News): Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Saturday conferred the Governor’s Award in the Field of Arts, Music and Literature 2026 on five distinguished personalities and groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions to arts and music.
The awards were presented during the 80th Independence Day “At Home” reception held at Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall, Lok Bhavan.
Congratulating the awardees, the Governor said their achievements reflected years of dedication, creativity, discipline and perseverance, while embodying the rich cultural spirit of Nagaland. He said the awards not only recognised excellence but also reaffirmed the collective commitment to preserving, enriching and promoting the State’s cultural heritage.
Observing that arts, music and literature are more than forms of creative expression, Yadav said they help society remember its past, understand its present and imagine its future. He noted that Nagaland’s diverse communities, traditions, languages, songs, stories, dances, crafts and artistic expressions form an invaluable cultural legacy, adding that artists, musicians and writers are custodians of memory and interpreters of the people’s collective identity.
The Governor stressed that originality, innovation, impact and cultural relevance are the hallmarks of excellence. He said tradition and modernity should complement each other, adding that cultural heritage becomes stronger when it evolves while retaining its essential character.
Encouraging artists and musicians to explore new ideas and techniques, he urged them to draw inspiration from Nagaland’s traditions and lived experiences. He also called for preserving indigenous musical traditions while embracing innovation and collaboration so that traditional melodies could reach contemporary audiences without losing their roots.
Expressing concern over the impact of rapid modernisation, Yadav said the creative community has an important role in ensuring that technological advancement does not lead to cultural amnesia. He stressed the need to keep younger generations connected to their cultural roots while enabling them to benefit from opportunities offered by the modern world.
The Governor also called for greater collaboration among educational institutions, cultural organisations, artists, writers, musicians and community bodies to nurture young talent. He highlighted the importance of digital archives, recordings, translations and online platforms in promoting Nagaland’s rich cultural traditions to national and global audiences.
He further underscored the need to preserve indigenous languages and traditional knowledge, stating that the loss of a language represents the loss of a unique worldview and an irreplaceable part of humanity’s cultural diversity.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Governor said Nagaland has a vital role to play and stressed that development must include cultures, languages and creative traditions alongside economic progress. He described the State’s cultural heritage as a bridge connecting Nagaland with the rest of the country.
Urging the awardees to view the honour as an encouragement rather than the culmination of their creative journey, Yadav expressed hope that the recognition would inspire young artists, musicians and writers, including those from remote villages, to pursue excellence.
The Governor honoured Aku Zeliang and Bendang Walling in the Arts category, and Divine Connection, Imkonglemba and Joey Woch in the Music category. He also commended the State government, the concerned departments and the selection jury for recognising excellence in the fields of arts, music and literature.
Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Advisors, MLAs, senior government officials, awardees and invited guests attended the programme.
Source@PRO Lok Bhavan
