Fresh from receiving the Padma Shri for his lifelong contribution to Ao Naga folk traditions, Guru Sangyusang Pongener on Tuesday announced his dream of establishing a cultural academy to train young people in traditional songs, dances, folklore and indigenous knowledge.
The announcement came during a grand homecoming and public reception organised by Soyim Aonglenden, Ungma, where villagers, community leaders and well-wishers gathered to honour one of Nagaland’s most distinguished custodians of traditional performing arts.
Pongener, who was conferred the Padma Shri in the Arts category under the “Unsung Heroes” category this year, said the proposed academy had been a long-cherished dream but could not be realised because of financial constraints.
“If the government extends support through grant funding, I plan to establish an academy where I can personally teach young people our traditional songs, dances, folklore and other cultural practices,” he said.
Recalling his lifelong journey in preserving Ao culture, Pongener said his interest in traditional knowledge began during childhood under the guidance of his grandparents and parents, particularly his late father Chutisang and mother Kedimenla Jamir, from whom he learned many folk traditions and songs.
He said preserving culture required more than simply learning traditions—it demanded passing them on to future generations.
With like-minded friends, he co-founded the Naga Wadir Club, which became a platform for practising, promoting and showcasing Naga cultural heritage while mentoring young artists.
Over the years, Pongener said the club participated in cultural exchange programs across India and helped preserve Ao folk traditions by training younger generations.
Reflecting on the Padma Shri, Pongener said the recognition was not an individual achievement.
“This honour was not achieved by me alone. It belongs to my fellow villagers, the district administration, the Department of Art and Culture, and everyone who supported me along the way,” he said.
He also acknowledged the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, the Chief Secretary, the Directorate of Art and Culture, the district administration, Ao Senden, the Ungma Village Council, the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), his family and well-wishers for their support throughout the nomination process.
Expressing hope that the recognition would inspire future generations, Pongener said, “May this blessing fill the land of Soyim, and may many more young people rise to carry forward our culture.”
Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Ajit Kumar Verma described the occasion as a “historic event” for Ungma village and Mokokchung district, saying the Padma Shri recognised more than six decades of Pongener’s dedication to documenting, preserving and promoting Ao folk traditions, songs, dances and oral heritage.
He said Pongener had transformed cultural preservation into a community effort through the co-founding of the Naga Wadir Club and his continued mentorship of young artists, ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed from one generation to the next.
Addressing the youth, Verma urged them to draw inspiration from Pongener’s life, saying true success should be measured not only by wealth or position but also by the legacy one leaves behind. He also assured continued support from the district administration for preserving the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Mokokchung.
Earlier, Pongener was accorded a traditional reception at the village gate before being escorted in a procession to the felicitation venue. Speaking on behalf of the family, his wife, Mrs. Rongsenlemla, thanked the Ungma Village Council and the community for the overwhelming welcome.
“As we come home, the reception led by the Ungma Village Council and the honour you have bestowed upon my husband and our family are beyond what we could have imagined. We thank you wholeheartedly,” she said.
Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong said the Padma Shri marked “a new chapter in history” for the Ao community, Nagas and future generations, describing Pongener’s recognition in the field of folk arts as a source of collective pride.
He said Pongener’s journey from a farmer’s family in Soyim Aonglenden to receiving one of the country’s highest civilian honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan demonstrated the value of perseverance and dedication.
“The Padma Shri is not only an honour for Ungma village but for the entire Ao community and the Naga people,” he said.
Besides the Padma Shri, Pongener’s contributions have been recognised with the Sangeet Natak Akademi National Award (2002), the Guru title conferred by the North East Zone Cultural Centre in collaboration with IGNOU, New Delhi (2012), the Governor’s Award from the Government of Nagaland (2017), and his selection as a mentor under the Kala-Deeksha Programme of the Ministry of Culture in 2024.