Guwahati, Assam, 5th of November, 2026 : The Government of Nagaland, through Tourism Nagaland and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), will present the Hornbill Cultural Showcase—Ticket to Hornbill 2026—at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, on 6 November from 5.00 pm. The programme will bring together cultural presentations from the state and the grand finale of a nationwide band competition, offering Delhi audiences an introduction to the Hornbill Festival ahead of its December celebration.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is named Chief Host, with Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, as Co-Host.
Placing the event within the state’s tourism outreach, Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, observed, “A performance can spark curiosity in a place, its people, and their stories. Through this showcase, we invite audiences in Delhi to discover Nagaland’s cultural traditions and contemporary creative work, and to visit us during the Hornbill Festival in December. We want that interest to translate into travel, personal connections, and opportunities for our local communities.”
The cultural programme will open with performances by Azi Rudy, Sentien Kichu, and Vetho Rhakho. An ethnic fusion fashion show by the Nagaland Designers’ Association will present the state’s design talent, followed by a folk fusion cultural dance by The Ao Naga Fusion and a folk fusion song by Densu.
Reflecting on the transmission of cultural knowledge through performance, Theja Meru, Chairman, Task Force for Music & Arts, noted, “Language, song, dress, and movement carry knowledge passed between generations. Presenting these expressions to a national audience gives the people who sustain them recognition and an opportunity to explain their meaning. It also creates room for younger practitioners to contribute their own ideas while retaining a connection with their communities.”
The grand finale of Ticket to Hornbill—India’s Biggest Band Battle—will bring emerging groups from across the country before a live audience. Presented by Casio India, the competition offers a ₹20 lakh cash prize pool and individual instrument prizes valued at ₹5 lakh. The winning band will also secure a performance opportunity at the Hornbill Music Festival in Nagaland in December 2026.
For Theja Meru, Chairman, Task Force for Music & Arts, the competition’s value lies in what musicians can build from the experience: “Independent bands need opportunities to test their work in front of unfamiliar audiences and establish professional connections. Ticket to Hornbill offers that exposure, backed by financial support and a performance opportunity at the Hornbill Music Festival. Our aim is to help promising musicians turn recognition into bookings, collaborations, and sustainable careers.”
The New Delhi programme forms part of Nagaland’s outreach ahead of the Hornbill Festival, connecting cultural promotion with tourism and professional opportunities for musical talent.
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