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Flavour of a distant land
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The local Naga community showed off its traditions last week
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The performances gave locals a pek into Naga culture.
THE SPIRIT of Nagaland came alive one wonderful night last week, giving Bangaloreans the flavour of that faraway region. The notion that any programme by communities from the North-East was only about rock music was consigned to the dustbin during the Nagas' Nite at Ambedkar Bhavan. Of course there was rock music, but that was only by the way. The programme showcased the diverse, vibrant and colourful culture of the Nagas.
The Naga Christian Fellowship Nite had a distinct objective. According to K. Wapongmeren Longkumer, President of the Nagas' Student Union Bangalore, the purpose was both an occasion for the local Naga community to come together as well as to let Bangaloreans have a peek into their rich cultural heritage. "A night where anyone, not necessarily a Naga, could come and enjoy the programme and also learn something new of our rich, diverse culture and tradition."
"We were isolated for much too long. The onus was on us to present ourselves to mainstream society. (It also goes to show that) Indian culture is rich and diverse," said community elder Ben Wati, all of 82 years.
The night started with The Dawning, a creative shadow play, directed by Shukshuk Shishak and Temsu Wapang. This was followed by a rendition of "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" by I. Lienla Longkumer, a graduate from the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Manila, and a well-known figure in the church music scene.
The Tangkhul, the Naga folk dance that entails no musical instruments, impressed those unfamiliar with the form, but Kavito, clearly an aficionado, was a bit put out. He felt the dancers had not delved deep. "The performers were not professionals. We are planning to get a few next time and improvise our presentation," he said.
The indigenous dress display showcased the resplendent costumes of various Naga tribes such as Sema, Ao, Angami, Tangkhul, Chakhesang, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Zeliangrong, as so on. Was it difficult to get the costumes for the show? "Oh! Not really, as every girl who leaves her home from Nagaland takes with her, as a part of tradition, a dress of her respective tribe," came a chorus of reply from the `catwalk'.
Then it was time for Shilpi Choudhury, known for her creative presentation of North-East traditions, to show her home-grown designs. She believes that fashion is not just about the clothes; it's also about the inspiration behind the line, the arduous work that goes with it. "It was more because of my students that I took a keen interest in Naga costumes." Her pick of models from Maharani's College and Bishop Cotton Girls College sported ensembles created from cane, CDs, bamboo, dried flowers, wire, scrubbers, net, and even paper.
The rendition of "If You Want To Know" by Asola Imsong, the immensely talented singer from Dimapur, provided the perfect ambience during the break, which in turn proved to be the ideal curtain raiser for the music show. Local bands Lucid Rhythms, Dark Vengeance, Temjen and Friends, Frank and Friends, Cornerstone, and Monkey Fingers kept the audience on their toes throughout the next 90 minutes.
So how does the Naga community see itself away from its environs?
"It hurts when people mistake us to be from anywhere (Japan, China or even Singapore) but Nagaland. I blame it on the lack of knowledge rather than any prejudice. Yet the warmth, respect, and space that we get here is much better than elsewhere in the country. We are equally proud to be Indians," said Kavito, a PhD student.
RAVINDRA PHADNIS
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