Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, AR Rahman Unveil Centre Of Excellence For Music And Arts In Kohima

KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and AR Rahman, Grammy award winning artist, jointly inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Music and Arts (CEMA) in Kohima on Sunday.

The facility, built at a cost of Rs 5 crore, aims to nurture and showcase local talent and make Nagaland a global music and arts hub.

Developed by the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), the state-of-the-art center offers training in both traditional and contemporary music and arts.

CM Rio described the project as the fulfillment of a long-standing vision to empower youth through cultural initiatives. He also acknowledged the role of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in promoting youth development through music and arts programs.

AR Rahman, who will serve as a mentor to young musicians from Nagaland, praised the state’s rich cultural heritage, which has influenced his own music. “I’m excited to work with young talents here and help them achieve international recognition,” he said.

Abu Metha, adviser to the chief minister, praised the government’s commitment to supporting local artists and highlighted the global achievements of Nagaland’s musicians, crediting these initiatives for their success.

Facilities include a recording studio, auditorium, meeting rooms, hostel, and terrace with panoramic views of Kohima and was built as a prefabricated steel structure. It was designed to overcome the area's topographical challenges and guarantees flexibility and durability.

The project is being implemented by the Public Works Department (PWD) in collaboration with the Infrastructure Development Association and the Youth Sports Department.

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