The two day ‘tribal festival’ held in Imphal was a smashing hit. It was a venture of the Arts and Culture Department of Manipur and North East zone Cultural Centre and fielded four Naga troupes. The festival opened to jammed packed J N Manipur Dance Academy auditorium located in the D M College campus on April 25, while on the second day the festival moved to the historic Indian National Army Memorial at Moirang in Bishnupur district and to the Pallel BSF post in Thoubal district.

The ‘chicken dance’ performed by the Chakeshangs of Phek district was the best choice of the viewers at all the three places. The solo performance Rewben Mashangva, a Tangkhul folk singer from Ukhrul district popularly known as ‘Bob Dylan’ of Nagas was an added attraction.. With his pena (violin like instrument) he rendered a beautiful Tangkhul folk song as the opening number of the festival. The other cultural teams coming from Nagaland included Kemifu (Yimchunger) Cultural Club of Tuensang district and Konyak Cultural Group. There was a Tangkhul dance team. It came from Sikiphung in Ukhrul district.

The festival was formally inaugurated by the Arts and Culture Minister Dr Moirangthem Nara in presence of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister A Aza, GAD Minister Francis Ngajokpa, EZCC director Angau T Thou, commander of 9 sector Brig E K Kochekkan were the other dignitaries.
    
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