A Thai dancer performing during the recently-concluded Hornbill Festival at Kisama. (Photo: Sorei Mahong)
Dimapur | December 12 : The Hornbill festival, a colorful fusion of tradition and modernity, has already been dubbed the ‘festival of festivals.’ Curiously, this year, the rave from some corners is about it being the most successful Hornbill edition till date. With the introduction of international troupes and increase in visitors, it most certainly looks that way.
There is no doubt the coveted festival is slowly expanding in terms of looks, wealth and status. But many observers think the Hornbill festival is yet to achieve its real purpose. While a larger section of the youths say the Hornbill festival is much too expensive, older people see the essence missing in the festival which, perhaps, is the only time where all Nagas are seen on a common platform.
The Hornbill festival, since its inception in the year 2000, has been the common platform for all 16 tribes in the state to showcase their rich culture and heritage. It was also initiated with a purpose of bringing the younger generation back to their roots and at the same time intended to promote tourism in the state. This year’s event was more than just a display of Naga culture; rather, it became a combination of cultures with a lot of spotlight on the international troupes. Some observers say the attention was drawn more towards the foreign artists and the “Naga factor” has taken a back-seat. Some also believe the event which was purported for the promotion of Naga art and culture is slowly turning into a trade centre. But the government doesn’t seem to think so.
Defending the criticisms, Commissioner & Secretary for Tourism, Art and Culture, KK Sema said the Hornbill festival will never shift from its main focus: to promote Naga art and culture.
He said “If there is no culture there would be no meaning in the festival.” Sema said the foreign factor is not much of a concern and but an effort to enhance the original platform for which it was initiated. He said the purpose lies in bringing cross-exchange of culture and that there is nothing wrong with that. “Living in the north east, many Nagas still don’t know much about their neighbors (from the NE states). The Hornbill festival gives you a glimpse into the north east,” Sema said. The government worked hard, running from pillar to post, campaigning abroad and across the country to promote the Hornbill festival, the Tourism secretary said. Sema pointed out that most of the foreign artists were invited guests of the state and their presence is in no way going to dilute the original purpose of the Hornbill festival.
Despite the self-adulation from the government, one problem it fails to tackle is the high price of commodities during the Hornbill festival. Starting from expensive ‘pay-and-use’ toilets to food stalls and other products, the charges were exorbitant. And with the chief minister pointing out the possibility of privatizing the Hornbill festival in the future, observers say it could take a backtrack. However, this time around, the government fully agrees it needs to regulate the price of goods.
“We have to regulate this aspect, I don’t doubt,” Sema said. One of the reasons he cited is the entrepreneurial mindset of the people to earn quick returns. Sema said the issue must be addressed by the government and certain basic conditions must prevail.
One of the persisting problems for visitors from outside Kohima visiting the Hornbill festival is accommodation. The government is also feeling the pinch with the increase of visitors. This year it is estimated over 200 foreign tourists visited the festival, added to thousands of domestic as well Nagas from across the state. The lack of infrastructure is causing a larger chunk of visitors to cut short their visit. The Hornbill festival is recognized as an event by the government of India, and is expected to expand in coming years, but the state still does not have a star-rated hotel yet. The problem is propelled by the inability of the government to meet the required standards to setting up a star-rated hotel.
KK Sema said the state government will have to push the Centre for the establishment of at least two star-rated hotels in the state. “We don’t even have the minimal requirements,” he lamented. Another a concern for the department of Tourism happens to be the Protected Area Permit. Sema said the PAP is an ‘irrational’ impediment in promoting tourism in the state and it must be withdrawn.
There is no doubt the coveted festival is slowly expanding in terms of looks, wealth and status. But many observers think the Hornbill festival is yet to achieve its real purpose. While a larger section of the youths say the Hornbill festival is much too expensive, older people see the essence missing in the festival which, perhaps, is the only time where all Nagas are seen on a common platform.
The Hornbill festival, since its inception in the year 2000, has been the common platform for all 16 tribes in the state to showcase their rich culture and heritage. It was also initiated with a purpose of bringing the younger generation back to their roots and at the same time intended to promote tourism in the state. This year’s event was more than just a display of Naga culture; rather, it became a combination of cultures with a lot of spotlight on the international troupes. Some observers say the attention was drawn more towards the foreign artists and the “Naga factor” has taken a back-seat. Some also believe the event which was purported for the promotion of Naga art and culture is slowly turning into a trade centre. But the government doesn’t seem to think so.
Defending the criticisms, Commissioner & Secretary for Tourism, Art and Culture, KK Sema said the Hornbill festival will never shift from its main focus: to promote Naga art and culture.
He said “If there is no culture there would be no meaning in the festival.” Sema said the foreign factor is not much of a concern and but an effort to enhance the original platform for which it was initiated. He said the purpose lies in bringing cross-exchange of culture and that there is nothing wrong with that. “Living in the north east, many Nagas still don’t know much about their neighbors (from the NE states). The Hornbill festival gives you a glimpse into the north east,” Sema said. The government worked hard, running from pillar to post, campaigning abroad and across the country to promote the Hornbill festival, the Tourism secretary said. Sema pointed out that most of the foreign artists were invited guests of the state and their presence is in no way going to dilute the original purpose of the Hornbill festival.
Despite the self-adulation from the government, one problem it fails to tackle is the high price of commodities during the Hornbill festival. Starting from expensive ‘pay-and-use’ toilets to food stalls and other products, the charges were exorbitant. And with the chief minister pointing out the possibility of privatizing the Hornbill festival in the future, observers say it could take a backtrack. However, this time around, the government fully agrees it needs to regulate the price of goods.
“We have to regulate this aspect, I don’t doubt,” Sema said. One of the reasons he cited is the entrepreneurial mindset of the people to earn quick returns. Sema said the issue must be addressed by the government and certain basic conditions must prevail.
One of the persisting problems for visitors from outside Kohima visiting the Hornbill festival is accommodation. The government is also feeling the pinch with the increase of visitors. This year it is estimated over 200 foreign tourists visited the festival, added to thousands of domestic as well Nagas from across the state. The lack of infrastructure is causing a larger chunk of visitors to cut short their visit. The Hornbill festival is recognized as an event by the government of India, and is expected to expand in coming years, but the state still does not have a star-rated hotel yet. The problem is propelled by the inability of the government to meet the required standards to setting up a star-rated hotel.
KK Sema said the state government will have to push the Centre for the establishment of at least two star-rated hotels in the state. “We don’t even have the minimal requirements,” he lamented. Another a concern for the department of Tourism happens to be the Protected Area Permit. Sema said the PAP is an ‘irrational’ impediment in promoting tourism in the state and it must be withdrawn.