Jun 19, 2009

Nagalim: Peace Performance for World Music Day


Active ImageTo showcase their musical talents and raise awareness about the possibilities for peace, groups of musicians from Nagaland and other places join together for the “Handshake Concert” in Mumbai, India on Sunday, the 21st of June.
 
 
 
Below is an article published by The Telegraph:

Nagaland’s peace music movement is set to make a mark.

The Rattle and Hum Music Society of Nagaland, which was formed to promote the state’s music as an alternative to violence, will perform at the “Handshake Concert” on June 21 [2009]— World Music Day — at St Andrew’s Auditorium in Mumbai along with some prominent bands of the country.

The “Handshake Concert” will also feature world-renowned Indian musician and Grammy winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

Theja Meru, the president of the society, said several top Naga singers and bands would perform in Mumbai to convey to the world that peace can make this world a better place to live in.

The society is supported by the state government’s Nagaland Music Task Force.

Other bands which will perform on that day are Cultural Vibrants, The Tetseos and Eximious, all from Nagaland, Hipnotribe from Mumbai, Soulmate from Shillong and Asin Naga, a soprano singer who holds a concert certificate from the Trinity Music College, London.

“Nagas are very talented in music but need a bigger and better platform to showcase their talent. The state has lived with violence and hatred for too long and the world knows us for all the wrong reasons. It is time we show what we are capable of,” Meru said.

Meru, himself a singer, will belt out some songs from his new album, Believe, at the concert. The recently released album touches on social changes and peace in society.

The spokesman for the society, Xavier Rutsa, said they were hoping that there would be a big turnout at the concert to which entry is free.

Of the performing groups, Cultural Vibrants is an all-sister band comprising Khriesatuonuo Mechulho, Vingukhonuo Mechulho and Pelevinuo Mechulho who sing of “love, harvest, war, loneliness and more,” Rutsa said.

The Tetseos are also an all-sister band of Azi Tetseo and Mutsevelu Mercy Tetseo, who sing melodious traditional Chakhesang Naga folk songs. “In fact, they have won rave reviews for their performance in many places of the world,” he added.

The Shillong band, Soulmate, has performed in over 500 concerts all over the country besides the International Jazzmandu Festival in Kathmandu.

Eximious, formed in 2005, has earned a big name in the music circle of Nagaland and the Northeast. Its band members have been judged best drummer, best bass guitarist and best guitarist in Hornbill National Rock Festival. They thrive on original music and pride themselves as pioneers of progressive rock music in Nagaland.

Rutsa said the Mumbai band, Hipnotribe, was formed in 2008 by brothers Naresh and Paresh Kamath.