Celebrating the 40th Year of its excellence, a three day festival begins with much fervor and enthusiasm at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya on 21st March, 2016. The programme commenced with inauguration of new Gallery of objects musical instruments importance ‘Ethno Music’. The exhibition was inaugurated by chief guest of inaugural ceremony will be Prof B.K. Konwar (Vice - Chancellor, Nagaland  University, Nagaland) and special guest will be Dr. R.S. Negi (Former, Director, I.G.R.M.S., Bhopal).
 
Head of Office, Mr. D. S. Rao presented the welcome speech. Director, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Prof Sarit Kumar Choudhuri presented the annual activities report 2015-16.
On this occasion, traditional artists for their immense contribution in the Sangrahalaya, Shri Bhavendra Jha, Shri Ommi Satyam, Dr. V. Jayarajan, Shri Kumaresan R., Shri K.U. Krishnakumar, Shri Nokkai Wangsaham and two retired employees of IGRMS, former Assistant Curator Shri Devendra Kumar Jain and office superintendent Shri Chandra Mohan Parashar, were felicitated with memento and certificates.
Chief Guest, Prof B.K. Konwar in his address thanked and said “It is great organisation for humanity created by Indian government. This museum’s 300 employees have called artisans from all India and developed a pan India scene here. I thank IGRMS on behalf of Nagaland and Naga people for celebrating our culture”. He praised the research work done by IGRMS staff and explained various aspects of Naga society in detail.    
Speaking on the occasion of 40th Foundation day of Manav Sangrahalaya, Former, Director, I.G.R.M.S., Dr. R.S. Negi said “After the foundation of IGRMS by great efforts and support from state tribal department in 1988 the first and presently the biggest of exhibitions Tribal Habitat; was started at Prempura hill and since the year of inauguration new habitats are being added continuously. Later hundreds of exhibitions were mounted and thematic as well as indoor building ‘Veethi Sankul’ was developed”. He reviewed the work of curators since 1979 to present and said their contribution in this development is exemplary. In the end, Mr Arun Kiro (Assistant Curator) gave the vote of thanks.
Later, chief guest, special guest lighted the 1001 wicks traditional lamp of Kerala Aal Vilakku at Veethi Sankul premises of Manav Sangrahalaya. Everyone present in the audience lit the wicks of the Al-Villakku lamp.
In the evening cultural programmes famous band - Tetseo Sisters commenced the performances with fusion song ‘Omita tzo mirsa hole’, followed by songs ‘Hiyo Hiyo’ and ‘Ohe Ohe’. In the end they sang famous bollywood number ‘Barso re Megha Megha’ from film ‘Guru’, which was very much appreciated by the present audience.in the second part traditional artists from various tribes of Nagaland presented traditional dances, beginning with Aphilo Kuwo Warrior dance.
The visitors enjoyed “Live Demonstration cum Sale of Traditional Art and Crafts of Nagaland” at Himalayan village and Ethnic Cuisine of Malwa, West Bengal and Punjab. This will continue on 22nd & 23rd March, 2016 as well.

Date: March 22, 2016