Kohima, November 10 2008: THE 'NATIONAL Hornbill Rock Contest' will be one of the main attractions in the famous tourist festival, the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland scheduled from December 1 to 7 at Naga Heritage village, Kisama some 12 kms South of Kohima on the National Highway-39 .

Addressing a press conference at Unitex Kohima today, Project Director of Music Task Force (MTF), G.Chishi along with Dr.Nicky Kire, MLA and Adviser MTF and K..TSukhalu, Secretary Youth Resources & Sports, said this year the much hyped contest will be held Kohima Local Ground.

Being teh highest prize money contest, the first prize cash award has been enhanced to Rs.5 lakh, sponsored by the telecom company Airtel, while the contest is renamed as Airtel Presents National Hornbill Rock Contest 2008 .

He also revealed that a total of eight bands, including some from the metro cities have registered their names for the contest while the organizers are expecting at least 15 rock bands from throughout the Country to take part and communication is still under process with various bands.

He also informed that the last date for submission of records of bands from outside the State has been fixed for November 15, 2008 .

Dr.Kire said that the State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio was very supportive and opines that music should be industrialized.

K T Sukhalu said that the Government started to bring in musicians from outside the State through the contest so that the local talents also gets exposure.

Meanwhile, Event Director, Neingulie Nakhro said that the control room for the Rock Contest will be Unitex, Opposite War Cemetery, Kohima for interested persons receive further details.

The seven-day Hornbill Music Festival evening entertainment programmes will be launched on December 1 presenting the happening musicians of Nagaland in 2008, including winners of solos and bands of Nagaland Music Safari 2008; NSACS Naga Idol 3.08; Dimapur Naga Idol 2008 etc, besides other outstanding musicians.

On the second day, there will be no show due to the Korea-India Festival at Secretariat Plaza while on the third day festival will present country, western and blues concert featuring veterans.

On December 4, the Rock Contest will be launched wherein five locals bands would be auditioned for the grand finale.

The auditions would continue on the fifth day also while on the sixth Nagaland's achieving bands would perform.

The grand finale along with prize distribution would be held on December 7 .

For further details about the contest, one can log on to www.hornbillmusic.com or email to [email protected].

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