17 Sep : The Nagaland Music Safari 2008, organized by the Music Task Force, Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland began its maiden venture organising competitions in the solo vocals and bands categories across all the Districts, with its launch in Mon District, on 9th Sept ’08, and complete the circuit by 14th Oct ’08 in Kohima. The winners : 1st & 2nd in the solos and the winner in the bands from all the Districts will assemble in Kohima on the 30th Oct ’08 for the State-level finals.
With event efficiently managed by the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), the Mon Town Konyak Students’ Union (MTKSU) and the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Mon District revealed exciting fresh talent – 23 contestants for solos and 6 bands vying for the prizes.
Performing to a capacity crowd at the Council Hall, Mon, the lady contestants : Ms Ateih and Ms P Sunday Konyak gave the gents a run for their money for the 2nd & 3rd spots, however acceding the 1st position to a very promising Mr Jatom, in the solo vocals who along with a cah prize of Rs 7,000/-, received a Cort acoustic guitar.
The bands category saw the RASP band walk away with the cash prize of Rs 15,000/- and the Phonic Roadgear 260 Plus, and a booking for the finals in Kohima along with the top two from the solo vocals category. Close on their heels were the Toxic Peace and the Brotherhood band.
With the entire Administration, the Police and the public supporting their talented musicians, the crowds were treated to the music of the Divine Connection, whose members doubled up as the Judges for the competitions. The arrangements for the sound, lights and video coverage were ably managed by the Aries Music & Sound Foundation, Dimapur, who will cover the major part of the tour with the Music Task Force.
Close on the heels followed the event in Longleng District, on 12th Sept ’08 throwing up 8 male contestants and 2 bands for the awards. The event was ably manned by the Phom Students Conference, led by Theppen Noklang, President and his team. The venue – Lempong Hall – was graciously provided by the Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), for this event, and the capacity crowd enjoyed every strain of music of the fresh talent that Longleng possessed. The non- competitive category saw special songs presented by the residents of the Lempong Orphanage Hostel, who stole the hearts of the audience. The winners of the solos were : 1st –C Bakup Noklang, Manshak and Mr Longpang, while the P Branch won the band category followed by De Acrobats.
At both the venues the district chapters of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) disseminated their activities in the District, and the message of ‘We Care’ to the vibrant youthful audiences.
The Safari continues with the next few events scheduled for the first leg of the Nagaland Music Safari 2008 : Tuensang (16th Sept ‘08), Zunheboto (19th Sept ‘08), Phek (23rd Sept ‘08) Kiphire (26th Sept ‘08) and Peren (30th Sept ‘08). Wokha (3rd Oct ‘08), Mokokchung (7th Oct ‘08), Dimapur (10th Oct ‘08) and Kohima (14th Oct ‘08) complete the second leg of the competitions. The registrations for the competitors are free as is the entry to the venues of the competitions. All are invited to the events that are scheduled in the days ahead to encourage a new crop of talent that deserve an audience.
The Nagaland Music Safari 2008, on the road with the Music Task Force (YRS), the contingent of musicians, technicians and support crew drove in to Tuensang for the third stopover, in the quest to conduct competitions in all the Districts. With the event managed by the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU), the contestants (6 soloists and 4 bands) revealed their latent musical talents and enthralled the audience during the two hour function on 16th September 2008 in the Town Hall, Tuensang.
As with every competition, the participants gave way to the better performers, convinced the judges and stole the hearts of the audience, walking away with the prizes. The State level event on 30th October 2008 will have the pleasure of the music of Aroba and David Ben who outclassed the rest of the soloists, and the band Mylonite who exhibited a sterling performance to take the crown. Kumrila Yim came in 3rd place with her brand of vocals while the Psychonic and Myriad bands followed closely behind the winning band.
The next event follows on 19th September 2008 in Zunheboto, and all music loving audiences are welcome to attend the free shows and lend a supportive hand to our budding pool of young talented musicians.