Kohima, Dec 2: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, along with Grammy-winning composer AR Rahman, inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Music and Arts (CEMA) in Kohima on Sunday. The ₹5-crore facility is set to position Nagaland as a global hub for music and the arts, offering a platform to nurture and showcase local talent.

Developed by the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), the state-of-the-art facility will provide both traditional and contemporary music and arts training. Chief Minister Rio described the project as the realization of a long-standing vision to empower youth through cultural initiatives, recalling the efforts of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government to promote youth development through music and arts programs.

AR Rahman, who will mentor Nagaland’s young musicians, expressed his admiration for the state’s cultural heritage, which has inspired his 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 support for local artists and highlighted the international success of Nagaland’s musicians, attributing it to these initiatives.

The facility includes a recording studio, auditorium, conference rooms, dormitories, and a terrace with panoramic views of Kohima. Designed as a pre-engineered steel structure, the facility ensures flexibility and quality despite the region’s challenging terrain. The project was completed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in collaboration with the Infrastructural Development Consortium and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports.