KOHIMA: A documentary film ‘Headhunting to Beatboxing’, exploring the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, made its world premiere at the International Film Festival in Melbourne, Australia.
The documentary has been produced by Grammy, Oscar, and BAFTA Award winner Dr. A. R. Rahman.
Directed by Rohit Gupta, ‘Headhunting to Beatboxing’ explores the sonic heritage of Nagaland, tracing the evolution of music across cultures, tribes and generations, from the ancient traditions of headhunting tribes to the musical renaissance in the state.
The documentary delves into the intriguing journey of rhythm and sound, charting music’s growth through generations in Nagaland.
The premiere was a highlight of the festival, with music maestro Dr. A. R Rahman receiving the Excellence in Cinema Award ahead of the screening.
The event was attended by Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), and Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), who served as executive producers of the film.
“Our rich and vibrant culture has been passed down for millennia, and today these stories are being told to global audiences by our artistes and cultural ambassadors,” Abu Mehta said in his address during the world premiere.
He also highlighted the Hornbill Festival, describing it as a legendary celebration of the Naga way of life and an exhibition of the creativity, energy, and vibrancy of Naga youth.
Mehta expressed his gratitude to Dr. Rahman for his collaboration with Nagaland.
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TaFMA Chairman Theja Meru, during an interactive Q&A session following the premiere, said that the real heroes of the film are the musicians and artists of Nagaland.
He expressed optimism about the film’s potential to boost Nagaland’s music industry and introduce local artistes to the world stage.
