The ‘Nuchiba Shisaluyimer’ music video team.
Morung Express News
Khensa | July 23
In this generation of hashtag and key word to be visible, the essence of originality and uniqueness can attain remarkable accomplishments. For the Naga people, the initiative to preserve and strengthen their unique indigenous culture and languages has also been a primary call. For a group of young people in the village of Khensa under Mokokchung district, singing a song in their native indigenous language has unearthed a new love for the art of creating and sharing music with the world.
From words to melody
It all started in January 2024 when the Khensa Students’ Union (KSU) was invited to present a song during the 39th general conference of Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) at Küpza village, Mokokchung.
“Few of us were attending a youth camp when we were asked to prepare the song,” recollected Imtisunep Kichu, who later on played a key role in turning the song into a music video.
In order to start weaving the song, the KSU had approached Talisashi Kichu, a writer in the village to compose a lyrical poem. With the vision of bridging the language barrier among the different villages under the Ongpangkong range converging for OKM, Kichu took upon himself to pen down a poem putting together both chungli and mongsen mother tongue of the Ao Naga community. The poem later took the form of a song titled ‘Nuchiba Shisaluyimer.’
Imtisunep said that the lyrics were ready in two days and the melody was composed in three days by the Khensa Baptist Church Youth Pastor, Tongpangsenla Jamir. “On Sunday evening (January 14), I along with Temsuakum and Temjensashi started creating the music on an acoustic guitar,” he added.
A song of hope and unity
The phrase ‘Nuchiba Shisaluyim’ translated as ‘the triumphal scholars,’ as shared by a KSU member was “inspired by the 39th OKM 2024 where the scholars from the Ongpangkong range” would gather in one place to “share and learn one’s vision, motivate young minds, showcase talents and transcend the present goal.”
Sharing the meaning behind the song, the youths involved in the song project said that ‘Nuchiba Shisaluyimer’ is a song about victorious scholars who need to unite as one and set a goal which will change the society for a better tomorrow. The song also talks about the “love of motherland” and also about “encouraging the young spirits to never give up.”
With the message of “hope and unity,” a group of around 15 young people enthralled the event held during January 17 to 19, 2024 with ‘Nuchiba Shisaluyimer’ - a martyr’s song.
“Soon after we presented the song, those gathered in the Conference were asking us to share the song. We were pleasantly surprised by the positive response,” the team shared.
From dream to reality
Taking home the encouraging response, the team dreamed of recording the song and it required finance and a recording studio, which unfortunately was not available. Nonetheless, with the dream to share the song, they decided to go ahead with the project.
“Initially, we planned only for audio recording but later we decided to make a music video. We do not have any recording studio or equipments, so we used a microphone from the church. We came up with innovative ideas to do the voice recording in a friend’s bedroom,” said Imtisunep.
“It was a zero budget project but with the encouragement from each other we decided to make the video. That is when KSU also stepped in and contributed Rs 10,000.”
With the music and recording by Imtisunep Kichu, the team recorded the song with Temsuakum Longchar and Putunaro Longchar as main vocals; Bangersenla longchar, Moarenba Kichu, Walunir Kich giving the backing vocals with Akumyanger Kichu on keys, Bendangsunep Walling on drum and Temjensashi Kichu on bass.
“‘Nuchiba Shisaluyimer’ is a very humble project. Technically, the production is not upto the profession standard but we are hopeful that the message and the beauty of signing in indigenous language would be appreciated and loved by all,” the team added.
The song will be released next week in the Khensa Students’ Union YouTube channel.
