Skip to content
Nisapa and Nisala silhouetted against the Naga hills.
Chapter Two

An archive of the 2026 Dimapur production

A Winter Night’sDreamThe Musical

An editorial chapter of the Winter Nights identity, slower motion, richer atmosphere, and cinematic stillness from Kohima toward Dimapur.

Inspired by Nisapa & NisalaA Sümi folktale

Dimapur · 13th–14th June 2026 · That’s a wrap

I.The Inspiration

A story that carries deep cultural values and weaves together themes of love, loss, and sacrifice.

Love, loss, and sacrifice — carried from the rhythms of village life to the stage.

Winter Night’s Dream The Musical is inspired by the Sümi folktale Nisapa and Nisala, a story that carries deep cultural values and weaves together themes of love and loss, social hierarchy, supernatural beliefs, honour, and sacrifice.

Emerging from the rhythms of village life, it reflects the worldview of our ancestors and the choices that shaped their lives. Through this musical, the performers seek to present the story in a way that allows its meaning, emotion, and cultural essence to be experienced and understood by audiences today.

II.Director's Note
Atüna Shikhu

Atüna Shikhu

Music · Lyrics · Director · Producer

A reclaiming of belonging and a breath returned to a fading heritage.

“I believe this musical is more than a performance: it is a heartfelt attempt to restore a sense of belonging to our land and revive a tradition that was slowly fading away.”

Rooted in oral storytelling, it brings together songs that echo ancestral voices, acts that reflect our people’s way of life, and dramatic moments drawn from our shared history.

Preserving oral traditions feels deeply urgent: a fragile narrative form, returned to its original essence: something to be heard, felt, and shared together.

In a time when rapid modernisation threatens to erode our cultural foundations, preserving oral traditions feels deeply urgent. Re‑imagining this folktale as a musical is a conscious effort to protect and carry forward a fragile narrative form by presenting it in a way that today’s generation can experience and connect with. Through music, movement, and performance, the story returns to its original essence: something to be heard, felt, and shared together.

For me, this production is a way of honouring the Naga oral tradition and paying tribute to the voices of our ancestors. It is my hope that by bringing this story back to life on stage, those voices will continue to resonate, inspire, and remain alive in the hearts of generations to come.

III.The Journey

From oral memory to the next city stage.

KohimaCHAPTER ONECHAPTER TWO · 2026Dimapur

Nagaland · Kohima → Dimapur·© OpenStreetMap contributors

IV.The Archive

Kohima Chapters,
in thirty‑five frames.

Stills from the inaugural staging, costume, lighting, and choreography held in stillness.

Frame 01 · KohimaOpening tableau — the Sümi village stirs before dawn
Frame 02 · KohimaNisapa enters in traditional Sümi shawl, candlelit
Frame 03 · KohimaEnsemble chorus in formation, Kohima inaugural staging of A Winter Night's Dream.
Frame 04 · KohimaNisala's lament — downstage spotlight, indigo wash
Frame 05 · KohimaForest movement sequence — woven Sümi costume detail
Frame 06 · KohimaVillage elder's blessing scene, candlelit interior
Frame 07 · KohimaChoreographed dance circle with Sümi folk motifs in red and gold
Frame 08 · KohimaNisapa and Nisala's first meeting — low warm sidelight
Frame 09 · KohimaStorm sequence — ensemble in stylised wind movement
Frame 10 · KohimaSolo aria, Nisala under a single overhead beam
Frame 11 · KohimaCostume detail — beadwork on traditional Sümi mekhela
Frame 12 · KohimaVillage wedding tableau, full company on stage
Frame 13 · KohimaLantern procession opening Act II, Kohima inaugural staging
Frame 14 · KohimaChorus formation in mirrored geometry, mauve wash
Frame 15 · KohimaDrum ensemble — traditional Naga rhythmic interlude
Frame 16 · KohimaNisapa's resolve — mid-stage cross, amber backlight
Frame 17 · KohimaTwo-hander duet, Nisapa and Nisala in half-light
Frame 18 · KohimaMovement chorus echoing the winter-river motif
Frame 19 · KohimaFolk dance reprise — ensemble in red Sümi shawls
Frame 20 · KohimaQuiet duologue scene, intimate two-spot lighting
Frame 21 · KohimaEmbroidered cuff close-up under stage warm
Frame 22 · KohimaTragic turn — full ensemble freeze, blue wash
Frame 23 · KohimaSolo movement passage, Nisala in mourning white
Frame 24 · KohimaVillage mourning chorus, candles held aloft
Frame 25 · KohimaReturning warriors' march, downstage cross
Frame 26 · KohimaLyrical reprise — Nisapa centre stage, ensemble kneeling
Frame 27 · KohimaSümi folktale narration sequence with scrim projection
Frame 28 · KohimaForest spirits movement — smoke and amber light
Frame 29 · KohimaFinal-act tableau, Nisapa and Nisala, rose wash
Frame 30 · KohimaCurtain-call bow, full company, Kohima audience
Frame 31 · KohimaWardrobe and costume preparation backstage
Frame 32 · KohimaLighting plot moment — single key light, deep shadow
Frame 33 · KohimaDirector Atüna Shikhu noting a moment in rehearsal
Frame 34 · KohimaSümi folktale Nisapa and Nisala — Act I finale
Frame 35 · KohimaClosing image — winter night, stage lit blue and rose
01of 35
V.The People

A core team and an ensemble. One winter night.

The creative leads who shape the production, and the twelve musicians who give the score its live voice.

✦ Testimonials ✦

In their own words.

It is truly remarkable to see our very own Naga folklore come alive on stage in musical form. Productions like this not only entertain but also help preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our people. I commend the talented Atüna Shikhu and her team for their creativity, effort, and dedication in bringing this story to life.

Nise MerunoYamaha Artist

I thoroughly enjoyed the musical. The creativity, discipline, and attention to detail were evident throughout. For a first production, it was remarkably refined the music, performances, and technical execution were all thoughtfully done. The minimal use of props and backdrops was tasteful and effective. So proud of Atüna and her entire crew. One encouraging thing I noticed was that many of the background crew members were female, which was truly inspiring to see. It’s wonderful to witness the younger generation carrying the craft forward. The future of Naga music looks promising.

Alobo NagaSinger-Songwriter

I truly enjoyed the Winter Nights Dream musical. The production was absolutely impressive and has really raised the bar for musical performances and music standards in Nagaland. It’s amazing to see a Nagaland-based production delivered at such an international level. Wishing the entire team even greater height ahead I can’t wait to see what you create next!

Koko SavinoMusic Artist
VI.Tickets

Three tiers. Two nights. A sold-out run.

The Dimapur premiere played to a full house on 13–14 June 2026. A record of the tiers it played to is kept below.

  • Donor₹3,000Admits two: a generous contribution to the production.
  • General₹750Admits one.
  • Student₹600Admits one: discounted rate for students.

✦ The Next Chapter ✦

Dimapur

13th & 14th June 2026

That’s a wrap.

Dimapur · 13th & 14th June 2026

✦ Get in Touch ✦

Write to us.

For press, partnerships, or simply to say hello. Your message lands in our inbox and we write back.

13th & 14th June 2026

Town Hall, Dimapur

© 2026 A Winter Night's Dream. All rights reserved.Built by Nikhil
PrivacyChapter Two · 2026 Archive