The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland

Mukesh Shah an Ahmedabad based entrepreneur, who took photography as a serious passion has contributed tremendously with his picturesque glimpse. Travelling is his niche but now his zeal towards his hobby of wildlife photography encourages him to travel more. His vitality towards his work has made him won accolades at Gujarat Lalitkala Academy and Manav Prathishthan. And one of his pictures has also been selected by WWF yearly Calendar & India Magazine-Special Edition-2015, Paris.

In his recent exposure to Nagaland Mukesh Shah has captured an exquisite event called the Hornbill festival. Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.

The Festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes. Festival highlights include Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts , Food stalls , Herbal medicine stall , Flower shows and sales , Cultural Medley –  songs and dances , Fashion shows , Beauty Contest , Traditional Archery , Naga wrestling , Indigenous Games and Musical concert .

This fiesta is a great opportunity for toruists to experience the actual Naga tribes’ life and habits. Mukesh got really inspired and heartened with Naga society’s gesture to involve guests within their culture and therefore decided to bring this forward to people as a piece of appreciation.

Creative Yatra feels proud to bring forward the creative side of Mukesh and Nagaland with this photo studio. Enrich yourself with this work of art.

Photo Studio Curator : Ketan Modi