New Delhi, Delhi / Guwahati, Assam, 9th of November, 2026 : Ticket to Hornbill 2026 drew a large, enthusiastic crowd to Talkatora Stadium on 6 November for an evening of music, dance and fashion from Nagaland. The Hornbill Cultural Showcase closed with the grand finale of a nationwide band competition, bringing emerging acts from across India before a live audience in the capital.
The Government of Nagaland organised the programme through Tourism Nagaland and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) to give Delhi audiences a preview of the Hornbill Festival and invite them to experience it in Kisama this December. The showcase was also part of Nagaland’s effort to use music and cultural events to encourage travel to the state beyond the festival’s ten days. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was named Chief Host, with Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, as Co-Host.
The evening opened with performances by Azi Rudy, Sentien Kichu and Vetho Rhakho. The Nagaland Designers’ Association followed with an ethnic fusion fashion show, before The Ao Naga Fusion took the stage with a folk fusion dance and Densu performed a folk fusion song. The programme gave audiences a look at how artists and designers from Nagaland draw on the state’s traditions in their work today.
Speaking about the place of music in Naga communities, Nchumbemo Lotha, Tourism Secretary, Government of Nagaland, said, “For the Naga people, music is much more than entertainment. It is a form of storytelling, a means of preserving history, an expression of identity and an important part of our community life. Our traditional folk songs, indigenous instruments and rhythmic performances have been passed down through generations, reflecting the experiences, values and collective memories of our communities.”
The band finale followed, with Casio India as presenting partner. Billed as “India’s Biggest Band Battle”, the competition offered a ₹20 lakh cash prize pool and individual instrument prizes valued at ₹5 lakh. A place on the Hornbill Music Festival line-up was also at stake.
“Delhi gave the bands a terrific reception. We loved seeing so many people turn out for musicians from across the country and get behind them right through the finale,” said Theja Meru, Chairman of TaFMA. “We brought a programme that went from folk dance and fashion to a national band final, and it was a pleasure to see the audience respond so warmly to both parts of the evening. The turnout and the energy at Talkatora Stadium made this a night we’ll remember.”
Mizoram’s TERAT won the competition, with Bengaluru’s Steel Falcon named first runner-up and Uttarakhand’s Nchanter second runner-up. The three bands will perform at December’s Hornbill Music Festival in Nagaland alongside 45 other bands from around the world.
TERAT also took Best Guitarist, while Steel Falcon won Best Vocalist and Nchanter received Best Bassist. New Delhi’s Neko Parade won Best Keyboardist, Nagaland’s Stereo Groove took Best Drummer, and Punjab’s Anarchy received the Sennheiser Choice Award.
The Hornbill Music Festival is part of the Hornbill Festival, which runs from 1 to 10 December at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. The annual festival brings together Nagaland’s tribes and gives visitors a chance to experience their music, dance, handicrafts and cuisine in one place.
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