It was a seven-day affair where words, which earlier instilled fear in Nagaland, held new meaning: clash was merely of cymbals, outfit meant bands and an act was understood as a performance.

When 40-odd bands performed during the Hornbill National Rock Contest in Kohima between December 1 and 7, it wasn’t just a rock music event, but one backed by the government. Music, the government thinks, is only a means to an end where local youth will drop guns and syringes for “creative pursuits”.

Step one was the forming of the Music Task Force two years ago with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief patron. Egged on by the ambition to give “industry status to music in Nagaland”, according to Rio, it was MTF that organised this year’s rock contest. Biggest till date and attracting bands from major cities of the country and the North-East all vying for the Rs 4 lakh first prize, the contest was supported by a budget of Rs 45 lakh, entirely provided by the government.

“Insurgency and anti-social activities emerge from youngsters’ frustrations in Nagaland. There is no industry and few job opportunities in the state so we formed the Music Task Force to help provide employment and earning opportunities to youngsters here,” said Rio, a self-confessed piano fan.

Nagaland, plagued by insurgency problems, has among the highest incidence of AIDS and injected drug abuse too.

“When we thought of turning music into an ‘industry’ here, we wanted to provide a platform for not just these musicians but also to those providing ancillary services like the lights and sound. We chose to organise a rock contest because we felt that the largest number of youngsters can find expression only through rock music and through it we want to tell the world that Nagaland is not just about insurgency and extremism,” said Gugs Chishi, MTF project director and a government employee.

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