Morung Express News Kohima | June 13 The 6th International Edition of the Handshake concert initiated by Nagaland’s Rattle and Hum Music Society will be held on June 17 at Hanoi, Vietnam. Total of 17 artists from the North East India will be performing at the concert along with five officials. The artists from Northeast India performing are ‘Ride and the Musical Folks’ from Meghalaya, Polar Lights from Nagaland, Charaideo Sanksritik Gosthi from Assam, Vekhriyi & Vetahülü from Nagaland, announced the Rattle and Hum Society during a press conference held at Dream Café Kohima on June 13. What makes the concert special this year, according to Theja Meru, is that this year’s edition coincides with the 45th Anniversary of diplomatic relation between India and Vietnam. The Handshake Concert is, thus is being organised as part of the celebrations commemorating the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam, and the Third International Yoga Day. The Handshake Concert is the only performance representing India in the celebration. The Concert is further supported by the North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNAR, Eclectic North East, besides the patronage of the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya. This year’s edition will be the first time the Concert has been supported by NEC. On choosing Polar Lights, one of the most popular bands in Nagaland, the team said, “They wanted a progressive band and Polar lights fit exactly what they wanted.” With the objective to promote and launch new artists, the Society also chose Vekhriyi and & Vetahülü, traditional folk singers from the Chakhesang community which the team labeled as ‘very original art of singing, fully organic and authentic’. Vekhriyi is also a former Wrestling champion of Nagaland. Bands from North East India were chosen with the intention to focus on the ‘Pan-Northeast’ where there are so many artists that are really good but not well known. “We feel that we need to grow and expand our horizon by promoting artists in other states,” said Meru. The team also stated that all the lyrics of the artist are scrutinized so that it does not hurt the sentiment on the ideology of the country. The team stated that there has been tremendous impact on the artists who were given opportunites in the past Handshake Concerts. “It is an incredible time for them to get exposure, international platform and also for people to know more about Nagaland for which we are very proud.” said Neingulie Nakhro. “Many times it’s not about where Nagaland is but what Nagaland is, and we’ve had the time to share more details, our way of life, our culture, to popularize our state, culture and musician.” added Theja Meru. The team claimed that the Concert has enabled better networking among musicians and the Naga artists has also been able to enhance their skills, stage performances, and transformation in the direction of creativity. Rattle and Hum Music Society The Rattle and Hum Music society will be completing its 10th year this year. Talking about its achievement during the press conference the team informed that the Society has performed in four cities of India besides the International Edition of the Handshake Concert and the Raj Bhavan edition which is an ongoing event taking place in Hornbill Fest. “We just launched the Nation Edition which will take place this year in Bangalore. There are more initiatives coming.” announced the team. Through the Handshake concert initiative last year in Korea, the team has been invited again to perform at the Saraang Festival- an Indian Festival in Korea which will be held in October. In the month of August, Rattle and Hum Society will be sending one band from Nagaland in Vladivostok, Russia to perform for the V-Rox Festival. The band is being sponsored by ICCR. “We can only get better and the best of times are waiting for us,” said Theja Meru. Earlier, a seven member team from the Rattle & Hum Music Society met the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu at his office chamber and apprised him of the upcoming India- Vietnam Handshake Concert scheduled to be held at Hanoi in Vietnam on June 17.
