Rocking affair
Under the aegis of the ‘Special Task Force for Music’, constituted by Nagaland Chief Minister recently, a team of happening musicians from the tiny North-Eastern State rocked the national capital.

An initiative to promote the musical talent of Nagaland took of nicely as a team of happening musicians from Nagaland mesmeraised the Delhi audience. All the performances by the musicians from Nagaland were highly appreciated by the music lovers of Delhi. The Naga musicians performed at the Pragati Maidan and at the lawns of Nagaland House people, apart from playing at a local pub in posh South Extension.

It was a rocking affair and that literally swung the music lovers of Delhi.  The bands and artists that had come down from Nagaland were Suffering Souls, Wave, Abiogenesis, and DGP Band. Apart from the bands, Solo artistes Linda, Pirong, Nise Meruno were also part of the musical team from Nagaland.

Sashi and Asen, the husband-wife duo fronted the five-member band Suffering Souls. The husband-wife duo is vocalists. The band has a huge repertoire that comprises sentimental folk songs, country, pop, rock n roll, blues, etc. The band performed their original compositions besides cover versions of popular bands.

Among the bands that came to the capital, the eight-member DGP Band is a popular name among the music lovers of Delhi. It is the same group that won the North East Music Festive 2003 in Delhi. This time they brought to life the music of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Though the  band prefers to perform rock n roll, blues and reggae, it appeared to be comfortable in almost any party environment.

Wave was formed in 2003. But even in such a little span of time, this eight-member band has performed in over 30 concerts in and around Nagaland and the North-East. They said that the band was “formed with the objective to use the medium of music to entertain and also to influence young people to be agents of change in the society— a catalyst for change.” Their music is rock and fusion based in taste and style. The band has in its repertoire cover songs range from U2, Maroon 5 and Elton John besides some originals.

Like Suffering Souls, Abiogenesis is also led by husband-wife dup Mon and Aren. The five-member band is also credited with the invention of Banhum—a new bamboo instrument unveiled at the BAMFEST 2005 in Shillong. With a lot of original music to their credit, they are also comfortable in performing the cover versions of other musicians too.

It is nice to note that Nagaland Government has taken up such an  initiative to promote music. As Nagaland is a powerhouse of music and where music is considered as the way of life, the initiative will help the budding musicians of the State to excel on a bigger stage. What is more heartening that Nagaland Chief Minister N. Rio is personally taking interests in this ambitious project. Also taking interest in the project       is CII, which has extended all possible help to the State Government in its endeavour.

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