Eid-ul-Fitr : The Festival of Blessings and Joy

The first day of Shawwal, the month that follows the month of Ramadan (or Ramzan) in the Islamic calendar commemorates Eid-ul Fitr, an auspicious day to celebrate the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making to achieve intense spiritual renewal. Celebrants fast during the day and pray frequently, meditating upon the nature of faith and Allah. Ramadan officially ends when the crescent moon of the 10th month in the Islamic calendar is sighted, marking the start of Eid ul-Fitr. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration of Eid au-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).

Eid-ul-Fitr is a time to celebrate with family and friends and also a time to give in charity to those in need. Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is also known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the early morning of the holiday, Muslims gather in a local mosque or outdoor space for the special Eid prayers (salaat-l-'Eid). This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer. Every man, woman, and child is welcome to attend this community prayer, which is preceded by a sermon. Following a short prayer, worshipers greet each other and begin several days of family visits.

After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and call their distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.

Since Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, feasting is an important part of this Muslim holiday. There are no universally traditional Eid foods, but the holiday typically includes rich foods which may not have been eaten during Ramadan, along with elaborate regional or family recipes. Invitations to parties and dinners are common during Eid ul-Fitr, and people often take the day off from work to spend time celebrating.

Muslims thus celebrate the completion of a fasting month, seek blessings and forgiveness, and look forward to the opportunity to fast again the following year.

-by Parmita Borah

Michael Jackson - The Gloved One

Artist - Anand Pilakkat

When an eight year old stood on a stage, holding a microphone in front of a drinking crowd that was perhaps waiting for a striptease or an adult act, little did anyone think that the kid would grow up to be a legend in the realm of musical stardom. That was Michael, Michael Jackson, hailed as the king of pop by generations of his time and the ones to come.

Born on the 29th of August, 1958, to a middle class African American family, Michael, was the eighth of ten children. At an age when kids of his age were singing "itsy bitsy spider", Michael Jackson was a headliner, setting chart records with his singles. Rolling Stone magazine later described the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts," writing that he "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer (of Jackson 5).

Flash forward - a decade: the little prodigy’s stardom grows tenfold when Billy Jean’s moon walk catapults Michael to the implausible echelons of recognition. His Motown Anniversary performance was the first testament to his exquisite dance abilities and his stepping stone into success. The signature sequined glove on his left hand, the crotch grab, the gravity defying moves or the larger than life music videos (known as 'short films'), the lead singer from Gary, Indiana, had become stardom personified. What followed seemed like a fairy tale with ten successful albums ('Thriller' being the best-selling album of all time in the United States), 13 Grammy Awards, and 13 number one singles in his solo career and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, twice.

Jackson is ranked alongside Elvis Presley and Beatles as the greatest pop sensations of all times. His backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters electrified crowds and made them hysterical; but there’s a lot more than he can be credited for. Breaking the barriers of racial prejudice, Jackson dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His Billy Jean became the first ever video by an African American to be aired on MTV. Whether it was a PR or humanitarian effort, Jackson co-wrote the charity song “We are the world” with Lionel Richie and the single topped charts around the world, raising awareness and more than $50 million for famine relief in Africa. He continued to focus on poverty awareness, urging former President Clinton to increase aid and even performing 'Heal the World' for the Clintons in 1992. Michael Jackson’s music and style stood for what can be considered as a multicultural and tolerant world, therefore crowning him as an influential culture icon.

But, like Oprah Winfrey has quoted, “If you come to fame not understanding who you are, it will define who you are”; Michael’s persona and life were the extreme ends. While he had become a superhero in the musical dominion, (and behaved like one), his personal life was more of a Cinderella story. He was a young boy so thoroughly in command of his gifts, yet afflicted by a demanding and abusive father. It was perhaps this twinge that made Michael resort to a lifestyle that was deemed shady by many who had come to question his anomalous ways. Petting exotic animals, wacky outfits, multiple plastic surgeries, drastic changes in complexion, drug abuse and his baffling marriages; he went from being eccentric to absolute bizarre. The worst bolt came with the accusations of sexual abuses towards pubescent boys. What followed were lawsuits after lawsuits and bankruptcy. Despite being proven as innocent, Michael’s image was badly shattered and perhaps so was his creative peak. As if in a limbo, the grand star made rare appearances, become overly protective of his progeny (making his kids wear germ masks in their outings); his health suffered a major setback as well.

In the summer of 2009, Michael made a phoenix like attempt to rise from the ashes with his “This is it” comeback tour. The irony of that name struck people on June 25, 2009, when he suffered a cardiac arrest and died shortly after. The world of music came to a standstill, another legend was gone. The circumstances of his death caused an equally strident uproar. Investigations suggested foul play and Cardiologist Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary man slaughter by Prosecutors in Los Angeles. Jackson's death is ranked No. 1 on VH1/VH1 Classic's list of 100 Most Shocking Moments in Music.

Jackson's life perhaps embodied what the underground crook Cookie says in the movie Rock-n-Rolla, “a rocker is worth more dead than alive, silly world isn't it?” The maven that was denounced and ostracized resurrected from his grave. The news of Jackson’s death spread like wild fire leading many websites  to crash down from overload. Google suffered the only crash in its history caused by an overload on its servers, other portals like Twitter, Wikipedia and AOL Instant Messenger also reported crashes of their sites. “This is it” became a top grossing film documenting his last days, his old records ranked high on the charts again and the whole world was busy paying tributes to him. From TV Channels to Fan Clubs, from websites to concerts and radio, everybody had just one thing to say “MJ, you were the best. RIP”

-by Parmita Borah 

Michael Jackson Twitter Page
Michael Jackson Facebook Page

Guérewol - the Festival of Celebrating Beauty

Photo by Chris G

Bid your adieus to Mr. Universe, Gladrags Super Models, Manhunts and Valentine’s Day. Gear up for an 'old school dating service' that surpasses these consumerism driven amorous galas. In what can be either defined as a celebration of beauty or a courtship ritual - Wodaabe people of Niger (a landlocked country in Western Africa) have an annual competition called Guérewol where young men in their finest attires and behaviors vie for the brownie points of three gorgeous ladies. Sounds like American Idol? Well, in a way it is minus the Coke/Pepsi tumblers and Simon; you can expect a couple of Paula’s and Jennifer Lopez’s though.

The Contest

So what is Guérewol? In brief, it’s an African version of the 'Indian Swayamvara', (excluding the part where the bride is bound together for life, these guys keep their options open). Celebrated right after the rainy season, the festival has three ladies sit down together to crown a man for his sex appeal and grace. The competition cannot be rigged since the festival is an inter-clan affair and women of two separate lineages judge the beauty of the men from opposite clans. On the day of Guerewol, as the sun rises, a woman sings out in the Wodaabe encampment, marking the commencement of the festival. The song is sung to encourage the young to rise in readiness for the dancing ahead: “The morning star has arisen! Beautiful girls! Handsome boys! Get up before the day begins!”

Eligibility

Wodaabe women, like their men, lean and tall; biceps, triceps, nice legs and six pack abs are equally important. The ideal man’s facial features should be symmetrical, his eyes large and round, his nose fine and long and his teeth white and even. (Surgery is usually not a option as the Wodaabe women don’t have much of a like for anything plastic). The dude must also have a sense of style that appeals to the women and last but not the least, his stamina should be beyond comparison. The enthusiastic men are judged based on these criteria in the Gerewol festival; the lucky man that meets all these criteria walks away with the charm of three lovely ladies.

The Talent Round

With “Grace” being an important criterion for the contest, the participants must be good at shaking their legs too. Yaake - the principal competitive dance round is intended to allow the contestants to exhibit their overall physical presence, their poise and sense of rhythm, and the particular beauty of their facial features. As a spectacle, it is a cross between opera, ballet and a drag show, performed without props in the middle of a semi-desert.

Behind the Scenes

Preparations for the Yaake dance are meticulous and a community affair. Both the foundation and the lipstick worn at the festival are composed of rare ingredients that are considered to have magical properties. Men also shave their hairline to elongate their foreheads.

With the hair and make up done, the participants tie amulet bags, necklaces and crosses around their necks, then dress in tunics that hang to their ankles. They wear white turbans with ostrich feathers on their heads. The overall attire may seem traditional, but Woodabe women never fail to appreciate a little creativity or fusion. So don’t be surprised if you notice zips in their embroidery, or men wearing plastic watches on their necklaces. Before lining up for a Yaake, the young men drink a cocktail containing a psychoactive bark that assists them in putting on their best face, making their most elegant moves, and staying on their feet all night.

The Jury

While they wear less make-up than the boys, Wodaabe girls adorn themselves with equal care. They wear beaded necklaces and amulet bags around their neck and colored bracelets on their wrists, large hoops of silver or gold in their ears. The traditionalists have thick brass bangles around their ankles, intended to give them a “cow-like” step — a prized virtue in their cattle culture.

Devoid of any hypocrisy, Guérewol is a fun filled festival which allows young men and women to mingle, flirt and possibly find a partner. There is no pretence of scouting for talent or any room for moral policing.

-by Parmita Borah

Woodstock '69

"I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me. I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see." – Jimi Hendrix

Forty years ago, over 300,000 people were turned up to watch Jimi Hendrix and many others at The Woodstock Festival in August 1969. People from all over America congregated on a 600acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York to spend the three days with music and peace on their minds. The music began Friday afternoon, August 15, at 5:07pm and continued until mid-morning, Monday, August 18. It was one of the Greatest and most pivotal moments in the history of rock and roll.

Woodstock turned a rain soaked chaotic gathering into the greatest rock festival ever. It involved performances by legendary artists like The Who, Santana, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Pandit Ravi Shankar and many more, over the course of four days.

“You couldn't really wrap your mind around how many people were there. It had never happened before, and it was sort of like having aliens land." – David Crosby

Woodstock was initiated through the efforts of Michael Lang, John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, and Artie Kornfeld. It was Roberts and Rosenman who had the finances. The idea started off as retreat-like recording studio but evolved into an outdoor music and arts festival. Woodstock was designed as a profit-making venture. It famously became a "free concert" only after it became obvious that the event was drawing hundreds of thousands more people than the organizers had prepared for. Tickets for the event cost US$18 in advance and $24 at the gate for all three days. Creedence Clearwater Revival were the first act to sign a contract for the event, agreeing to play for ten thousand dollars. The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Bob Dylan are amongst the few who Declined invitations for the Woodstock festival. Woodstock, although didn’t seem all that important at the time, turned out to be the Apex of their careers for many who did perform. Serendipity can appear in unlikely places and come from unexpected sources.

By Wednesday, August 13, the lush green bowl in front of the massive 75-foot stage was already filled with some 60,000 people. On Friday the roads were so clogged with cars that the only way, most artists could reach the festival, was by helicopter from a nearby airstrip. To add to the problems and difficulty in dealing with the large crowds, recent rains had caused muddy roads and fields. The facilities were not equipped to provide sanitation or first aid for the number of people attending; hundreds of thousands found themselves in a struggle against bad weather, food shortages, and poor sanitation. But nothing could stop the revelation. On the whole, the festival was peaceful; considering the size of the gathering. There was a sense of social harmony, the quality of music, and the overwhelming mass of people, many sporting bohemian dress, behavior, and attitudes.

True believers still call Woodstock the capstone of an era devoted to human advancement. Cynics say it was a fitting, ridiculous end to an era of naiveté. Then, there are those who say it was just a hell of a party. Even Though Woodstock faded away into a legend, it has forever become a part of the cultural lexicon. It will be etched in the minds of those who were there to witness this celebration of freedom and peace engulfed by music. For others it’s a chronicle of music transcending all boundaries to bring people together. Woodstock has become an idea that has suffused human culture, politically and socially, as much as musically.

Two days after Woodstock ended, the 'New York Times' ran an editorial praising what had happened at Bethel. It concluded with a quote from Shakespeare's Henry V, which seems appropriate upon the fortieth anniversary of Woodstock: "He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a-tiptoe when this day is nam'd".

-by Suchin Ravi

 Pune, Maharashtra

John Bonham - The Indefatigable Artist

John Bonham was born on May 31, 1948 in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. He was known for his powerful drumming and as a member of the band Led Zeppelin. Bonham used the longest and heaviest sticks available, which he referred to as “trees”. His hard hitting style was displayed to great effect on many Led Zeppelin songs, including "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin III), "When the Levee Breaks" (Led Zeppelin IV), "Kashmir" (Physical Graffiti), "The Ocean" (Houses of the Holy) etc. He first learned to play drums at the age of five but never took any proper drum lessons.

In 1964, Bonham joined his first band, 'Terry Webb and the Spiders'. He also played in other bands such as 'The Nicky James Movement', 'The Blue Star Trio', and 'The Senators'. The Senators, released a moderately successful single “She's a Mod”. Two years later, he joined 'A Way of Life', but the band soon became inactive. Later he joined a blues group called 'Crawling King Snakes' whose lead singer was a young Robert Plant. In 1967, Plant decided to form 'Band of Joy' where Bonham was the first choice as a drummer. At the same time Bonham was getting famous as a 'Rock Drummer' and was formally invited by the famous American singer Tim Rose as a drummer for his band. 

All these while, Bonham was working for his father Jack Bonham as an apprentice carpenter. But Tim Rose’s offer gave him a regular income. Ultimately in July 1968, Jimmy Page (vocalist of Led Zeppelin) and manager Peter Grant selected Bonham to be the perfect fit as a drummer for the band Led Zeppelin. Although Bonham was receiving lucrative offers from established artists like Joe Cocker and Chris Farlowe, he decided to accept Grant’s offer.

Bonham is also credited with the first in-concert use of ‘electronic timpani drum synthesizers’. His famous drum solo ‘Moby Dick’ would often last for half an hour and regularly featured his use of bare hands to achieve different sound effects. In Led Zeppelin concert tours after 1969, Bonham would expand his basic kit to include congas, orchestral timpani, and a symphonic gong. While with Led Zeppelin, Bonham also found time to play on sessions for other artists. In 1969 Bonham appeared on 'The Family Dogg's' 'A Way of Life', with Page and Jones. In 1970, he sessioned for Screaming Lord Sutch on his album 'Lord Sutch' and 'Heavy Friends'. He played drums on Lulu's 1971 song "Everybody Clap," originally written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie. Later in his career, Bonham drummed for his friend, Roy Wood, on his 1979 album, 'On the Road Again', and for Paul McCartney's 'Wings' on their 'Back to the Egg' Rockestra project.

On September 26, 1980, John Bonham was found dead in Page's house 'The Old Mill House' in Clewer, Windsor. Weeks later at the coroner's inquest, it emerged that in the 24 hours before he died, John Bonham had drunk forty measures of vodka which resulted in pulmonary edema - water logging of the lungs caused by inhalation of vomit. It was an accidental death. The alcoholism that had plagued the drummer since his earliest days with the band, ultimately led to his death. Despite media rumors, the remaining members decided to disband Led Zeppelin after Bonham's death.

 

- by Jim Ankan

Richard Wright - The Legend Remains

The world of Rock suffered a dispiriting loss with the death of Richard Wright. Wright was 65 when he breathed his last on 15 September, 2008, after fighting cancer for a long time.

Wright's claim to fame was as the founder member as well as the pianist and keyboardist of the renouned Rock Band PINK FLOYD. Amazingly this legend who rocked the whole world with his power chords happens to be a self taught pianist and keyboardist. For all those who have followed his career must know that Richard William Wright actually studied architecture before dedicating his life to music. In the infant stage of Pink Floyd, Wright was actually seen as a strong musical force in the band and he wrote and sang several songs of his own during 1967–1968. 

While not credited as a singer on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, he sang lead on Barrett-penned songs like "Astronomy Domine" and "Matilda Mother", as well as notable harmonies on "Scarecrow" and "Chapter 24. As Pink floyd began to emerge and evolve, he lost his interest in song writing and concentrated mainly on composing and creating his discreet style to extended instrumental. Wright developed his own unique blend of music inspired by Jaaz and neo classical compositions. These enriched the simple harmonic structures of the more blues and folk-based songs of Roger Waters and David Gilmour. As a keyboardist, he was more interested in complementing each piece with organ or synthesizer layers and tasteful piano or electric piano passages. Unlike his contemporaries Rick Wakeman, Tony Banks or Keith Emerson, he opted for solo erformances only on rare ocassions.

Wright prefered to have the lowest profile of any member of a band known for their disinclination to seek individual attention. Wright was very rarely seen in the live footage from the Live 8 reunion performance; with a few exceptions he was shown only in wide shots.

Wright was not just a music lover. He made conscious efforts to innonvate and evolve music to take it to the next level. Richard William Wright raised the bar for himself and kept on doing so. His death is a terrible loss to the world of music, but he will continue to live in our hearts through his soulful voice, the vital playing and the magical components of his music.

In Elton John's words, "the candle's burned out long before...... the legend ever did"...

-by Parmita Borah

Tripura - The Land Of Cultural Benevolence

Unakoti (Tripura)

A multi-social society existed in harmony in Tripura inspite of the diversity of religion, ethnicity and castes. We find a social fusion of different tribal and non-tribal cultures. Even during the times of the kings the character of the state was to welcome all those who sought refuge. Shah Shuja took refuge in Tripura for a short period of time, and the Maharaja built a mosque for him! The personal body guards of the Maharaja belonged to different sections of the society. We were not divided in the name of religion or ethnicity or caste.

The only tribal chief minister of Tripura was Mr. Dasharath Deb. Rest all were from the non-tribal community. Many of the oldest Bengali literature are the result of patronage from the Maharajas of Tripura. The Bengali language was even made the official language of Tripura. Maharaja Bir Bikram was the one to confer the title, "Bharat Bhaskar" to Rabindranath Tagore. History and partition have forced numerous people to migrate into the state. The state has always welcomed them.

Inspite of all these, there exists an underlying current of communal feeling which became evident in the riots of 1980. But today are we going to allow the political classes to broaden the rift between the two groups of people - the tribals and the non-tribals? Will we bury our glorious past in the rubbles of today's failures? Should we not humbly accept our mistakes and the lack of foresight?

Think about it.

- by Jebush Panna Dey

  (Agartala, Tripura)

Metallica in India

On Oct 28, 2011, Indians will probably witness one of the biggest events India has ever hosted - the 'Metallica Tour of India'. The 'thrash metal band' will start their tour at F1 Rocks, Leisure Valley, Gurgaon near Delhi on Oct 28, celebrating the first 'Grand Prix' race ever held in India and on Oct 30 in Bangalore at the Palace Grounds as a part of the Sonisphere Festival, the worlds largest touring festival.

Metallica is the pioneer in the 'Thrash Metal' music scenario. The band is also known as a 'heavy metal' band. The members consist of James Hetfield on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums and percussion, Kirk Hammett on lead guitar and backing vocals and Robert Trujillo on bass and backing vocals. The band was formed in 1981 and got nine albums till 2011 up their sleeves.

The event organisers at 'DNA Networks' confirmed on their website the selling of tickets through various portals starting from Jul 2 to Oct 29, 2011. The tickets prices range from Rs1,650 to Rs2,750. The band made this tour official when they wrote on the official Metallica website, 'At this stage in the game, there are very few places in the world that we have not dragged our gear and crew to, so that makes this show announcement extra special... for the first time ever, we will be visiting India for two shows! It’s about time, wouldn’t you say?!?!'

So far numerous internationally acclaimed bands and musicians like Mr Big, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Megadeth, Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, Sting, Bryan Adams, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Joe Satriani and many more have come to India and performed in different cities like Bangalore, Shillong, Delhi and Calcutta in front of overwhelming crowd. The recent past has seen India coming out into view as a spicy music destination for international musicians and bands looking to break into its young and new market.

-by Jim Ankan

Shammi Kapoor - the Torchbearer of Indian Cinema

Indian cinema paid its last tribute to one of the most popular actors of Hindi Cinema, Shammi Kapoor. Known as Elvis Presley of India for his western looks and bouncy dance moves, Shammi Kapoor remained a prominent romantic lead in Hindi cinema from the late 1950s until the early 1970s. Even after retiring from lead roles, he continued to grace the screen with great performances in many supporting roles.  In his lifetime, he has acted in more than 130 films.

Not many are aware but Shammi Kapoor was the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). He had also played a major role in setting up internet organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association. Kapoor maintained a website dedicated to the 'Kapoor family’.

The “Yaaahoooo” star was honoured with many prestigious awards throughout his life. He had won multiple Filmfare Awards, Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement, Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award, Anandalok Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards and was honoured for his Invaluable Contribution To Indian Cinema at the IIFA. Shammi Kapoor is also the recipient of the prestigious Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Rashtriya Gaurav Award and Phalke Legend Actor Award by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy.

Shammi Kapoor was suffering from chronic renal failure and was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on 7 August 2011. He died on 14 August, 2011, 04:30 am (IST).  He was 79 years old.

India mourns the demise of this legendary actor and prays for his eternal soul. Shammi Kapoor will be fondly remembered for his vitality and charm and for bringing many characters to life and making them memorable.

-by Parmita Borah

Mynta - 'a fusion between Nordic Ice and Indian Spice'

When Jason Sudeikis (host to the last MTV Movie Awards) claimed that “Tonight MTV will stand for More Twilight Victory” and slammed Jersey Shore, MTV fans couldn’t agree more. Perhaps that was the moment when the guys cashing in on Roadies and Splitsvilla took notice and decided to retrieve the concept of M for Music instead of M for Mayhem in MTV.

Thankfully, the latest buzz has it that Coke Studio @ MTV has helped the channel break free of its trash TV tag and deliver some class act with musicians like Leslie Lewis collaborating with folk and classical singers from the inmost corners of our country and get them to light the Coke Studio floors on psychedelic fire. Coke Studio@MTV appears to be an incredible attempt to reinvent music in its popular form.

While we are at the topic of reinventing music, how can I not mention the masterful exposition of Swedish and Indian fusion band Mynta. Mynta blends Indian, African, Latin-American, Arabic, Swedish, and Norwegian music.

A confluence of the musical traditions of Sweden and India and a global range of influences, Mynta is flavored with the unique flavor of Nordic Ice and Indian Spice. Mynta was conceived by bassist Christian Paulin and initially focused on blues and Latin-influenced jazz. In the 1980’s the band acquired acclamation as a touring band and often performed with Swedish vocalist Maritiza Horn. Many musicians have been part of this band including Swedish musicians Anders Hagberg (flute, soprano and willow flute), Max Ahman (acoustic guitar), Mikael Nilsson (percussion) and Christian Paulin (electric bass). Former members included tenor saxophonist Stefan Isaksson, alto saxophonist Jonas Knutsson, guitarist Max Schultz, and drummer Magnus Persson.

In 1987 during an India tour, the band members met Indian tabla player Fazal Qureshi and vocalist Shankar Mahadevan which led to a true cultural exchange. With the addition of two Indian musicians, Mynta forayed into the world of fusion and reinvented them as a world fusion band. That is how the whole idea of “Nordic Ice and Indian Spice” (as they describe themselves) came into being. In the coveted scape of world fusion, Mynta’s eclectic presence is outstanding.

So there’s some food for thought for MTV. When you guys set the floor ready for the next season of Coke Studio you should certainly think of roping in Mynta.

-by Parmita Borah

Independence Day 2011, India

The Independence Day of India is celebrated on the fifteenth of August to observe its independence from British rule and its birth as a independent nation in 1947.

More on Independence Day, 2011 -

Independence Awakening (Instrumental) (2011)

Michael Lee Aday - a versatile musical genius

Michael Lee Aday (Meat Loaf)

Of people who can claim to have been everywhere and done it all, Michael Lee Aday is one such personality. Born on September 27th, 1947, this Libran singer-actor from the United States has quite a number of feathers in his cap. Known by the stage name of Meat Loaf, Adav had a successful music career, engendering some of the largest-selling albums, and breaking several records for chart duration.

Aday formed his first band 'Meat Loaf Soul' subsequently with his acting career right after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. His work was so impressive that during the recording of his first song, he bagged three other recording contracts. Meat Loaf Soul’s first gig was in Huntington Beach at the cave, opening for 'THEM', Van Morrison’s band. The band later did the opening act at Cal State Northridge for 'Renaissance', 'Taj Mahal' and 'Janis Joplin' and started to undergo various changes like changing the band’s name each time - including Popcorn Blizzard, and Floating Circus.

Meat Loaf received an invitation from Motown Records for a duet with American female singing sensation Stoney Murphy. The album, titled 'Stoney & Meatloaf' (Meatloaf being shown as one word), was completed in the summer of 1971 and released in September of that year; it ranked number thirty six on the R&B charts and seventy-one on Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Prior to this Motown Records, Meat Loaf was engaged with LA production of HAIR- the American Tribal Love- Rock Musical. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti–Vietnam War peace movement. After the Album Stoney & Meatloaf, Meat Loaf rejoined the cast of Hair, this time on Broadway.

In 1973, right after returning from a short production of Rainbow in New York in Washington D. C Meatloaf received played the part of Eddie and Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show. The success of the play led to the filming of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. About the same time, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman (An American record producer, composer, lyricist, arranger, pianist, and singer responsible for several hit songs), started working on the album 'Bat out of the Hell'. It was during the making of this album that Meat Loaf decided to leave theatre and concentrate entirely on music. This turned out to be a period of clamber for Meat Loaf and Steinman as their approaches were rejected by each record company because their compositions did not fit any specific recognized music industry style. Finally, they performed the songs for Todd Rundgren who decided to produce the album, as well as play lead guitar on it. On October 21, 1977, Bat out of Hell was released and its success knew no bounds.

This was soon followed by Ted Nugent's 'Free-for-All' in 1976. When regular Nugent lead vocalist Derek St. Holmes quit the band, Meat Loaf ended up singing lead on 5 of the album's 9 tracks.

In 1978, while in the middle of recording of his second album 'Bad for Good', Meat Loaf lost the ability to sing; the real cause still remains unclear. Doctors opined that it was more of a psychological problem that brought about this tragically drastic change in this legendary singer’s career.

Just as his singing career seemed to be reaching a dead end, he got the role of Travis Redfish in Roadie. The movie had cameos by Debbie Harry, Roy Orbison and Hank Williams, Jr., but still bombed at the Box Office. Meat loaf resorted to drug addiction unable to cope with this pressure. This led to his suicide threat off the ledge of a building in New York. However overtime Meatloaf got his voice back and managed to overcome his drug problem. The struggles that Meat Loaf faced making Bat out of Hell paid off. It now has sold more than 37 million copies worldwide, making it one of the biggest-sellers of all time. In the UK alone, its 2.1 million sales put it in 38th place.

The 1980’s saw him in a bankrupt condition. His attempts to create and sell music conked out completely. This started with the firing of his manager Dellentash and Sorenberg who were cheating him on his money. They in turn froze all of his assets and sued him for breach of contract.

Meat Loaf headed off to England in 1984. There he recorded the album Bad Attitude, which included a duet with Roger Daltrey. Two songs written by Jim Steinman in 1986, when Meat Loaf found a new writer, John Parr, and started recording a new album, 'Blind Before I Stop'. Unfortunately, the producer put a dance beat underneath every song, resulting in a write off by the critics. Meat Loaf's condition worsened and he eventually lost everything. His relationships with lifelong friend Jim Steinman and Leslie also deteriorated. But perhaps the love of music and a burning passion kept him going.

He started touring small venues, anywhere that would have him, such as pubs and clubs. His attempts soon liquidated. Slowly, he developed a faithful following which grew to the point where they were unable to fit into the venues that Meat Loaf was playing. This carried on until the late '80s, where he began to sell out arenas and stadiums again; including over 10,000 tickets at The Ohio State University. The success of this tour put Meat Loaf back on the map. Meat Loaf got back with good old buddy Jim Steinman to work on 'Bat Out Of Hell II' which was finally released in 1993, sixteen years after 'Bat Out Of Hell'. The album was an instant success and is considered one of the greatest comebacks in music history. He released 'Blind before I Stop' in 1986.

Meat Loaf was pretty active during the 90’s with releases like 'Welcome to the Neighborhood' and 'The Very Best of Meat Loaf' topping the charts. In 2003 Meat Loaf released his album 'Couldn't Have Said It Better'. The album was a minor success worldwide but reached #4 in the UK charts. This was accompanied by a sellout world tour which was used to promote the album and some of Meat Loaf's biggest hits. Meat Loaf had begun to work on the third installment of 'Bat out of Hell' with Steinman. The album was released on October 31, 2006. Meat Loaf sold out over 160 concerts during his 2005 tour.

This versatile musical genius has had an eventful lifetime. His is said to have deceived death many a times. Couple of instances are having his car crashed and rolled over, been hit on the head with a shot put. He was also struck by Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. In October 2006, his private jet had to make an emergency landing at London's Stansted Airport after his plane's forward landing gear failed.

Just like his life, Meatloaf’s musical career has been a roller coaster ride, his success ranging from extreme highs to depressing lows. But his never say die attitude kept him going and has embarked him as a sovereign in the realm of music. Here’s wishing him the very best of luck and success for his forthcoming ventures.

-by Jim Ankan

Vishal and Vedant's “Feathers of Jatinga”

Vedant Kaushik & Vishal J Singh

Unknown to a lot of the fans in the doom metal/atmospheric music scenario, in July 2010, a duo from the India's north-eastern state of Assam got together to create their musical alchemy “Feathers of Jatinga”. In its initial phase of unveiling their maiden project, the band has an incredible flavour, almost at par with international bands. The music combined with the lyrics of songs that deal with the human instinct, emotions and feelings blend in, to create an impressive new entry to the music scene. Their idea was to create an ambience with the sound giving an atmospheric feel of the north eastern winter.

The name, “Feathers of Jatinga”, is derived from “Jatinga”, a small tourist spot in North Cachar hills of Assam renowned for the mass suicide of migratory birds, in between October to January, who come out at night and straightaway hit the various lights lit in the village. The reason is still unknown and many researchers or scientists have failed to answer the same...

What seems like an introduction to another band in its glory days of releasing their debut album is only a sight into a band that boasts of being the combination of two absolutely astounding musicians, who have remarkably managed to hold their own alongside performing with each other and at times with guest musicians like Mark Hawkins.

On vocals, lyrics and vocal melodies there is Vedant Kaushik - former vocalist of “3rd sovereign” and currently of “Shades of Retribution”, both bands having been highly praised in the Indian Metal Scene. Vishal J. Singh, being a musician of international scale plays guitars as main instrument and the rest as well in Amogh Symphony, and synth/programming/production in "Acrophase". In Acrophase, Luke Jaeger(Seattle, USA) plays guitar. Vishal handles the guitars, keyboard, piano, bass, and drum programming for “Feather of Jatinga". Unlike Vishal’s other projects, “Feathers of Jatinga” is melancholic, atmospheric doom metal mesmerizingly nostalgic of bands like “Katatonia”. Vishal handles all the instruments and programming, while Vedant provides haunting clean vocals that are a far cry from his work in “3rd Sovereign”.

As of now, the band is in the process of releasing their debut album. Also there are discussions for induction of session’s musicians for the live circuit which, the guys say “only time will tell...” Hailed as learned and well versed musicians in their own careers, this easygoing duo have united with their skills tighter than ever to brandish upon the fans their excellence and influence. This one is a band that must be checked out by all the lovers of atmospheric music and doom metal.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Agnetha Faltskog (ABBA)

Agnetha Faltskog, known as a member of the Swedish pop group ABBA, was born on 5th April, 1950 in Jönköping, Småland, Sweden. She is also famous as a songwriter and record producer. Fältskog showed much interest in music like her father Ingvar Faltskog from her early childhood. At the age of eight, Faltskog started taking piano lessons, which continued until she was 14. She also sang in the church choir groups of Sweden.

In 1960, Agnetha formed a band ‘The Cambers’ with two female friends but soon dethawed. In 1966 Faltskog started performing with ‘Bernt Enghardt's Orchestra’. in 1967 she got her first solo recording contract after the band sent a demo tape to the record label Cupol where she recorded her first two singles. Cupol was more interested in Agnetha than the orchestra. In 1968, she released her first album. In 1969, Faltskog released the single "Zigenarvän" about a young girl attending a gypsy wedding and falling in love with the bride's brother. In 1970, she released "Om tarar var guld" which was possibly her most successful song in Sweden before the ABBA period.

In 1972, Agnetha starred as Mary Magdalene in the original Swedish production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, providing vocals for its original Swedish cast recording. And in the same year she, along with Bjorn Ulvaeus (ex husband), Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson, formed the famous band ABBA. In 1975 ABBA recorded two albums Waterloo and ABBA. And in between the sessions and promotion for the ABBA albums, she recorded her Swedish number one album Frida ensam and recorded and produced her solo album ‘Elva kvinnor I Ett Hus’. Elva Kvinnor I Ett Hus spent a stupefying 53 weeks on the chart, even longer than any of the ABBA albums. Altogether ABBA has released eight albums. On 11 December 1982, ABBA made their last performance ever.

Between the years 1968 and 1980, Faltskog had a total of 18 entries on the important Svensktoppen radio chart, starting with debut single "Jag Var Sa Kar" in January 1968 (peak position #1) and ending with "Nar Du Tar Mig I Din Famn" from compilation Tio år med Agnetha twelve years later, in January of 1980 (peak position #1). The 18 entries, most of which were composed or co-written by Faltskog herself, spent a total of 139 weeks on the chart during this time, with the biggest hit being 1970's "Om Tarar Vore Guld" (#1, 15 weeks). In 1981 she also recorded the Swedish Christmas album Nu tändas tusen juleljus with daughter Linda Ulvaeus which reached #6 on the Swedish album sales chart. Faltskog is also the only member of ABBA to have won Eurovision with "Waterloo" in Melodifestivalen in 1974.

In the 1980s, Fältskog released three English-language solo albums which success was mostly limited to Europe. In 1982, she sang with the former ABBA backing vocalist Tomas Ledin on a song called "Never Again", which became a Top Five hit in Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and South America. In the same year, Faltskog starred in the hit Swedish movie Raskenstam, and received irrefutable reviews for her film debut. In 1983, she released her first post-ABBA solo album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me which was #1 in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium and Denmark (where it became the biggest-selling album of the year), and #18 in the UK. Two singles from the album became relatively big hits in continental Europe. In the same year Aftonbladet voted her as the “Best Female Artist Of The Year" and received the Music Award Price ‘Rockbjornen’. In the beginning of the year 1985 she released her next album, Eyes Of A Woman reaching No. 2 in Sweden. In 1986, Faltskog recorded another duet, "The Way You Are," with Swedish singer Ola Håkansson, which became another No. 1 hit in Sweden. In 1987 she released the album I Stand Alone. It was #1 in Sweden and became the biggest selling album of 1988. After its release, Faltskog took a break from her musical career till 2004.

In April 2004, she released a new single, "If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind". It reached #2 in Sweden and #11 in the UK. A few weeks later, the album My Colouring Book, a collection of Faltskog's covers of 1960s classic oldies, was released, topping the charts in Sweden, hitting the Top Five in Finland and Denmark, #6 in Germany and peaking at #12 in the UK. In 2004, Agnetha Faltskog was nominated for Best Nordic Artist at the Nordic Music Awards. In October 2008, a new compilation album "My Very Best" was released in Sweden containing Swedish and English hits of her whole solo carreer from 1967 to 2004. It entered at number 4 on the Swedish album charts and has already certified gold in the first week.

In 1956, Agnetha’s father organized a Christmas show that was Agnetha's stage debut. She started to compose songs at an early age. At age 15, Agnetha decided to leave school and pursue a career. She stared working as a switchboard operator in a car dealership. It was during this time she wrote a song that would soon catapult her to fame, Jag var så kär.

Her music career has been a fruitful sojourn. Agnetha is one of those rare multifaceted musicians who have reigned in the kingdom of music over four consecutive decades. Let us hope that her success endures; and may her sensational voice and soulful compositions continue to mesmerize our hearts.

-by Jim Ankan

Remembering Jayanta Hazarika

It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years that count.

— Abraham Lincoln

Assamese singer-composer Jayanta Hazarika is perhaps a classic example of these famous words by the erstwhile President of the United States of America. His evanescent lifetime was marked by his superior musical gifts, unprecedented success and popularity.

Late Jayanta Hazarika was an eminent singer, instrumentalist, composer and music director. His integration of Western notes into indigenous Assamese tunes positioned him as the archetype of a progressive Assamese musician. He was an expert in a legion of musical instruments including guitar, dumra, mandolin, accordion, tabla, mouth organ and more. He is also one of the few musicians who could play more than two octaves in the harmonium at a time.

He was born on September 20, 1943 to probably the most illustrious family of several gifted artistes and doyens of Assamese music. A younger sibling of musical prodigy Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta assisted his brother in composing and directing music for many Assamese films; although he composed the first tune in his life at the tender age of nine for lyrics written by one of his elder brothers, Nripen Hazarika. His career in playback singing started in 1963 with Maniram Dewan (an Assamese feature film). He also sang for films like Lotighoti, Faguni, Chikmik Bijulee, etc. At the behest of his music director-brother, he composed the score and lent his vocals for Mrityu sabati samadhi tolit, a song that overwhelms listeners with its emotional intensity even today.

This trendsetting musician independently composed some of the most memorable tracks of Assamese music. His euphonic contributions cover films like Bonoria Phool, Niyati, Brishti, Dharmakai and Natun Asha (completed by his wife Manisha Hazarika after his death). Some of his evergreen numbers are Tomar morome mor, Dekha nai, Surat magan bhayal rati, Bhorir taluwar pora jodi, Ei akash bor bishal, etc. Besides, he had also composed music for many documentaries like Flora and Fauna of North East India, Wheels and the Horizon, Sanman and Jyoti Chitraban.

Jayanta Hazarika also had an immense love for composing music for plays. During his stint with Lakhimi Theatre of Goalpara, he completed seventeen songs for five dramas, in addition to the background scores. He also handled the music for notable plays like Siraj by Phani Sarma, Baan by Prafulla Bora and Jinty, Janma, Yuddha Ghosanar Din, Jerengar Sati – produced by Progoti Silpi Sangha of Guwahati.

While performing at the International Conference of Political Songs (February 14, 1972) in Berlin, he accompanied Dr Bhupen Hazarika and mesmerized the audience with his soulful compositions and powerful vocals. Apart from his commercial performances, Jayanta pioneered the formation of the Sur Bahini, a mobile musical brigade which was committed to working selflessly for the welfare of the poor.

Jayanta Hazarika’s avant-garde style was inspired by the pioneering style of legendary filmmaker Jyotiprasad Agarwala. Like Agarwala, he combined the elements of Assamese folk, Indian classical and Western music to create a contemporary musical genre, yet entirely retaining his Assamese roots.

His soulful melodies were usually characterised by melancholy lyrics, eccentric chords and deft use of the guitar and violin. Hazarika also included unconventional preludes and interludes while composing and arranging music. The technical handling of a prelude in the basic 1-3-5 form (tonic, subdominant, dominant), and the interlude beginning in the minor and coming to rest in its relative major are still rare and laudable achievements in Assamese music. Be it the delicate guitar plucking in Surat magan bhayal rati or the rich saxophone score in Mrityu sabati samadhi tolit, he managed to elevate the quality of his songs and deliver a rich euphonic experience every time.

After his premature demise on October 15, 1977, he left behind his wife, veteran musician-singer Manisha Hazarika (who later completed many of his unfinished compositions), and a talented son, Mayukh Hazarika. Manisha was born and raised in a musical ambience in Kolkata, but chose to stay back in Assam after her husband’s death to keep his legacy alive. Mayukh’s singing has echoes of his father’s vocals but has skilfully managed to create his own signature style over time.

The sheer depth, appeal and technical finesse of Jayanta Hazarika’s compositions were way ahead of their times and still continue to inspire aspiring musicians of successive generations. His phenomenal musical legacy can never be encompassed in words. His musical excellence can perhaps be only realised by letting his songs run through our souls. It is extremely unfortunate that his musical journey ended with his unexpected demise, bringing an abrupt halt to the mellifluous years ahead of him.

-by Parmita Borah

“The Greatest Jukebox on Earth”

‘The Greatest Jukebox on Earth’ is an online group on the social networking site Facebook, where members post videos as a way of sharing and suggesting albums, songs and artists to the ever growing number of fellow members. 

With a current count of some 2500+ members which keeps steadily growing with every passing day, this group is one that enhances a person’s musical taste, takes one a whirlwind musical journey and is definitely worth being a part of.

It is amazing how music gets passed from one person to another. I hear of something, I pass it on to a friend, who again passes it to another and on and on. And this is exactly how this group functions... like a musical chain it keeps growing with fresh contributions by its huge base of members. 

It’s utterly awe inspiring to see how fast one can get access to a whole range of diverse music through this group. And therein lays the charm of this whole new concept of sharing music.

The scope to broaden one’s musical horizon is immensely facilitated by this group as one gets to hear an assorted range of tracks – from vintage classics to new age rock to indie music to lounge to classic Bollywood .

“The greatest jukebox”....the name in itself speaks volumes. It is indeed like a massive jukebox where music seems to unfold and reveal itself in all its glory. For any music lover, the creation of this group has been a blessing. Like stepping into a vintage music shop where all sorts of music await to be explored and relished, “the greatest jukebox on earth” makes rich and classy music easily available for one and all. 

It’s free, it’s vast and it’s a pure bliss to be able to hear so many new genres, so many unknown bands and songs. You want to join and be a part, just ask for it and someone or the other will bring you in. It’s like a crazy musical ride where the fun just doesn’t seem to stop...!

-by Samriddhi Tanti

...Shall we dance...?

"Think of the magic of the foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle and the dance is a celebration of that miracle."

— Martha Graham

Dance... the very word seems to have a youthful vibrancy to it. Be it any form of dance, there is something about this whole act that instantly uplifts the soul, obliterates all traces of sadness, pain and anger. Dance can be helpful and therapeutic; dance can be a release for the soul; dance can be one’s passion and one’s love; dance can be a lot more than what appears to the eye. It is like a secret language of the soul that whispers in soothing notes to one’s ears and transports the soul far away from this world. There is a charm, vitality, poignancy and ardour, all combined with the wonderful feeling of fun to this beautiful form of art known as dance. No matter whether one is young or old, male or female; when it comes to dance, there is no barrier, there is no restraint, and there is no reason.

Recently I happened to come across this wonderful video called “A million ways” by Ok Go. Probably it was a choreographed act, but nonetheless, the dance in itself seemed like an effortless act. And if one chose to, one could easily dance along without much of an effort. What struck me about it was the way the guys were doing this wonderful dance without a care in the world. It was stylish and charming in a wonderfully simple way. There are various dance videos to be found on YouTube that range from funny to weird to simply outrageous. Watching some of these videos can be an enriching experience in itself as not only does one have a great time laughing while watching some of them but also one can learn to appreciate dance as an art form. It might seem like an intended pun to a few of you, but on a serious note, I sincerely feel that dance is something that is personal and that is abstract.

As Martha Graham said – “Dance is the hidden language of the soul”, so why should one not dance the way one’s heart feels like? Why should one not dance without any sort of consciousness? Why should one not dance like a free and wild child? It’s absolutely brilliant to be able to dance just for the sheer joy of it and to be able to enjoy it at the same time.

No doubt, there is a lot to the whole act of dancing, whether in terms of technicalities or in terms of presentation or in terms of understanding physical cues of one’s partner. I am in no way trying to undermine the benefits of sequenced dancing or trained dancing. But what I am trying to stress upon here, is the simplicity and pleasure of dancing, sans any routine. How often do we find people actually de-stressing by doing an impromptu dance? Why is it that a lot of us shy away from dancing even though our heart craves to simply twirl to the notes of a song? For once, spare yourself from the habit of needing a reason to do something. Stop for a moment, think not about perfection, think not about appreciation, think not about anything but the fact that you are dancing for yourself, for your soul. 

One does not need a reason to dance, one dances because one feels like dancing. Free yourself from all thoughts and dance because you want to; dance because it is a celebration of the joy of being alive and to be alive in itself is a grand thing. So think no more my friends, but simply put on your dancing shoes and leave the thoughts for another day. Feel life for now and let dance be your link to the divine.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Remembering Amy Winehouse

“We only said goodbye with words...I died a hundred times”

The world of music, specially pop and rock, is rife with its own share of tragedies which has metamorphosed into a culture of myths, scandals, infamous narratives, all tinged with a sense of bitterness and remorse from the fans. The death of an artist seems to be like the final act of some melodramatic play, the construction of yet another grand narrative with its own share of disjointed, bizarre views and final thoughts of fans, critics, observers, fellow musicians.

The death of Amy Jade Winehouse on July 23 was like history repeating itself. It set the music world and social media on fire, and within seconds the news was all over the world. It was treated with a mixed response of grief from her fans, sneer and sarcasm from some, and plain indifference from others. But what it certainly established was the fact that another highly talented yet painfully troubled artist became a victim of her own demons. And the saddest thing about Amy’s death was the way her talent and musical achievements got overshadowed by her turbulent personal life.

This Grammy winning British singer songwriter was popular for her multifarious mix of RnB, Soul and Jazz, her distinctive style, her powerful contralto vocals and with the passage of time, her controversial battle with drugs, alcohol and various health problems. She was a big influence in the rise and popularity of pop and soul music and the revival of British female singers. Soulful, self deprecating, brutally honest and at times hopeful-Amy’s songs are powerful and sung from the heart. They are refreshing and filled with a wonderful combination of contemporary and the classic.

Her life was short and she left us with only two albums – “Frank” (2003), her debut album and “Back to Black” (2007). Apart from this, she collaborated with many other artists on various singles, performed in live shows and had won numerous accolades and awards. Her musical career might indeed have been brief, but it was a reflection of pure talent, musical knowledge and a captivating personality. As she herself said in The Post on the eve of the U.S. release of “Back to Black” in 2007--“I think the record speaks louder than any of my stupid actions or things that I say.”

Hounded by the media who never missed an opportunity to publicize the many struggles and ugly truths that she had to constantly battle with in her 27 years of existence, Amy Winehouse was a wounded and bruised individual who always struggled and thrived. She was a gifted musician whose music inspired millions across the world and whose life reflected the lives of many lost souls.

To continue making her past a public extravaganza and have differing opinions regarding her death is utterly demeaning and unwanted. One can always romanticize or stigmatize a person but the fact remains that the person is no more. Amy Winehouse’s life was troubled, complicated and even messy, but she was a beautiful and immensely talented woman who charmed many of us with her timeless classics, who should be remembered for her music rather than her tumultuous life, and who will continue to live in the hearts of her fans.

R.I.P Amy Winehouse... you will be missed forever.

-by Samriddhi Tanti

“Nagaland - Journey through the choir of clouds” – a short documentary

Nagaland, a state in the remote north eastern part of India, continues to remain an alluring mystery to all those who ever saw, heard or even remotely experienced a whiff of it. In spite of the growing rate of tourists and travellers flocking to this region, there are certain aspects of the people and life here that continue to be shrouded in an age old enigma. The grandeur of this enchanting land mixed with its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant culture and enthralling history is precisely what Jim Ankan Deka brilliantly showcases in his documentary “Nagaland-Journey through the choir of clouds”.

“Nagaland - A place where swirling clouds gently kiss the mighty hills, where nature preserves in its bosom the primeval traditions of the land, where picturesque sights await at every blink, where ethnic notes conflate with temporary melodies....” As these words make their way to the heart of the viewer, an overwhelming sense of wonder and reverence permeates the soul, and one cannot help but agree that an enlightening and profound impression is what comes across through the documentary, as it highlights the tribal life, culture, myths and folklore of Nagaland. Imbued with the pristine sounds and moods of nature; beliefs, customs and social behaviour of the Naga people, “Nagaland-journey through the choir of clouds”, with its freshness and simplicity has a fragrance of the primeval and ethnic combined with the contemporary about it. A deep sense of sensitivity can be deciphered in the way it depicts the life and history of Nagaland and its people, the hospitality and warmth of the people that comes so naturally to them, the age old myths and folklore passed on from generation to generation, and an amalgamation of the past and the present harmoniously co existing.

A sense of travelling back in time engulfs one, as the documentary takes us on a journey through the districts of Nagaland encompassing the serene life of the people and filling one with a sense of detachment from the chaos and humdrum of modern civilization. The documentary comes across as a landmark in itself as it explores an all embracing picture of a region, its people and their story. The director manages to have several scenes that give a glimpse into the core of Naga society with its myriad tribes and the remnants of the early animist culture and ancient traditions existing parallel to the contemporary life of the new generation. The entire team, including the script writer duo Parmita Borah and Schuyler Ellers (also the narrator) and the Eastern Fare Production team, come together to create a brilliant film that not only presents a unique view of the state of Nagaland, but also leaves a burning desire within the viewer to have a taste of this intoxicating land.

The film is produced by Eastern Fare Music Foundation and Jim Ankan. The video is edited in ‘Sargam Audiocraft’ by SK Biswa and the sound is mixed at ‘Studio Eastern Fare’ and ‘Sargam Audiocraft’ by Pinku and Jim. The internet version of the short documentary is released on 22nd July, 2011, and can be viewed on different portals including Dailymotion and North-East India page on Facebook.

-by Samriddhi Tanti