THE common image of the North-east is
of a wide variety of folk cultures, apparel and lifestyles
that often confuse the outsider. There is also the tendency
to club together this diversity on a common platform which,
understandably, angers many native dwellers. But a love of
music is something that runs like a common vein among these
different ethnic groups.
By tradition, tribals lead a simple life with music and dance
forming an integral part. Today, even though they are in contact
with the outside world, their affinity for music has not diminished.
Traditional folk tunes may have morphed into love for international
trends like jazz, blues, rock ’n’ roll and hip
hop, but the basics remain the same.
Recently, drummers from Shillong took the region to the portals
of the Guinness Book of World Records. As many as 7,951 percussionists
beat drums in a synchronised manner to a tune called Positive
Vibrations composed by local musician Rudy Wallang, beating
the previous world record of 7,727 drummers assembled at Hong
Kong in 2005.
News about international bands performing in India are avidly
followed by the young and old alike, which is probably why
these visiting groups, who must be aware of how rhythm is
a part of the region’s lifestyle, often make it a point
to perform in the North-east even if they have to give some
bigger metros the miss. Shillong and Aizawl continue to be
the preferred venues, with Kohima, with its Hornbill Rock
Festival, and Guwahati, the gateway to the region, also fast
picking up.
Shillong, called the Scotland of the East for its picturesque
destinations, has played host to international band Air Supply,
besides many smaller bands from the country and abroad over
the past few years. From Air Supply to Paul Dianno, formerly
of Iron Maiden fame, all have made appearances in the North-east
within the span of a year in 2006, with heartthrob of the
music world Bryan Adams expected this spring.
Dianno, Iron Maiden’s former lead singer, also performed
during the year. The first foreign band came to Shillong way
back in 2003 when Australia’s Afro Dizzi Act performed
during Independence Day celebrations that year. Then came
Grammy Award winner Petra, followed by Fire House in 2004
and Michael Learns To Rock in 2005. Italian jazz-rock band
Emtrio also performed in Shillong in 2004 as did Australian
singer Aurora Jane during the Roots Festival the same year.
The current line-up of performers set to sway Shillong includes
the likes of Bryan Adams and the Nashville (USA)-based pop
band Difference. Besides the internationally famed performers
who visit Shillong, the city has its home-grown festivals
to keep the music quotient running throughout the year. Singing
legend Bob Dylan’s birthday is observed annually in
May by Lou Majaw, a renowned musician of the country and founding
member of Great Society. An Elvis lookalike and The Beatles
Show are other annual events in Shillong organised by Fashion
Society. This hill capital also hosts the All India Campus
Rock Idol for the eastern region, where college bands from
the North-east vie for top positions and then proceed to the
metros to compete with other campus bands.
If the region plays host to established bands and singers,
it also creates platforms for new talent. The North-east’s
ability to produce top-notch singers who can compete and beat
Bollywood’s frontline singers was evident when Assam’s
biggest singing sensation, Zubin Garg, took the nation by
storm with his Ya Ali... (Gangster) number. That he also notched
up a few awards and more nominations for top honours on the
way only added to his growing acclaim.
Another Assam boy, Debojit Saha, also made his mark in Mumbai’s
music industry when he won a popularity-rating based television
show. All this and more within a year.
Kohima is another hill capital that is equally poised to figure
prominently on India’s music map. It has been annually
hosting the Hornbill National Rock Festival, as part of the
Hornbill Festival. Held since 2000, last year’s edition
saw 26 bands from across the country participating. Joint
Family from Delhi bagged first prize and walked away with
a record deal and Rs 4 lakh in cash. Local band Devine Connection
and Mizoram’s Boomarang took second and third spot respectively
and pocketed Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh each for their efforts.
Mizoram, nestled among the southern hills bordering Bangladesh
and Myanmar, may not be easily reached by road but music has
long been part and parcel of everyday existence. Gospel singers
and choir groups are a speciality of this predominantly Christian
state, with the most sensational female, Gospel singer Liandingpuii
having cut an international album at the beginning of 2006.
A Christmas-special music show in the capital of Aizawl for
the past couple of years has always proved to be a crowd puller,
with people from other parts of the country joining the locals
in the celebrations. While local musicians continue to draw
attention, across-the-border bands have also gained popularity
over the past year. A group from Myanmar, Melody, was the
latest craze in Mizoram, with band members sharing ethnicity
with people of the state.
“Political reunification may be a distant dream, but
music can forge a bond by erasing physical barriers. That
will be our message,” lead guitarist and front-man of
the group Thanthawnga says.
Torn apart by strife, music is the only solace for those desperately
seeking peace. Their credo finds reflection in the Bard’s
“If music be the food of love, play on...”
Courtesy: Trans World Features. |
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