‘I am so thrilled and feeling on top of the world,’ says inventor Moa Subong of Abiogenesis
Morung Express Feature
Moa Subong of Abiogenesis from Nagaland added another feather to his trailblazing cap by becoming one of the recipients of the ‘Ninth Biennial Award for Grassroots Innovations and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge’ for his invention of
Bamhum, a wind bamboo musical instrument.
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President Pranab Mukherjee presents the award to Moa Subong of Abiogenesis during the Festival of Innovations at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.[/caption]
It was presented by President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 4 at the inaugural function of the week-long Festival of Innovations (FION), an initiative of the Office of the President of India “to recognise, respect and reward grassroots innovations and foster a supportive ecosystem.”
The award is given by National Innovation Foundation (NIF), started in 2000 as an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology with a mission “to recognize, respect and reward grassroots technological innovators and traditional knowledge experts.”
Congratulating the awardees, the President said he was informed that there were more than 33,000 entries received for the award this year, out of which 29 national and state awards were given to 37 innovators and community representatives.
Every year, entries are invited till March which goes through several screening processes before the final announcement. The last date for submission of entries for the 10th biennial competition is March 31.
The best three innovations are awarded Rs 500,000 (National First), Rs 300,000 (National Second) and Rs 100,000 (National Third) each in different categories and also a Life Time Achievement Award of Rs 750,000 and 35% to 52% of the total prize money are given in the form of monthly fellowship, according to NIF.
Moa Supong won the top category - National First.
“I am so thrilled and feeling on top of the world. This is something I did not expect,” said a visibly excited Supong when
The Morung Express contacted him for his reaction.
“This is a very huge motivation for me as well as for the band.”
Incidentally, he is presently taking up residency at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official home of the President of India, as a part of its “In-Residence Programme” launched on December 11, 2013 to encourage “the creative and innovative potential of people and open up Rashtrapati Bhavan for greater participation and involvement of citizens in its activities.”
Ten innovation scholars, two writers and two artists started the programme this year which runs from March 3-18.
“My stay here at Rashtrapati Bhavan has been amazing,” Supong replied when queried about the same.
“I never thought that I would ever see Rashtrapati Bhavan but to stay here for two weeks, meet and dine with the President and other dignitaries face to face is like living the dream.”
According to the band,
Banhum draws its name from the basic roots - the Bamboo and the effect of humming into the instrument and thus the name mixture of the two.
“If one hums into it, the instrument produces tones that are sourced from the user's vocal chords and resonates with a captivating effect on the listener.”
The Bamhum gets its maximum “exposure and necessary attention” through Arenla, another member of the band who has been playing it as leading instrument of the band, since it was unveiled first on May 3, 2005 during the International Bamboo Festival in Shillong, the band maintained.
Abiogenesis, which started as a Naga folk-fusion act, true to its name has evolved over the years effortlessly blending folk elements from Nagaland with “modern music to create an offbeat and completely enchanting melody.”
As a pioneer and trailblazers, the band has withstood the onslaught of new acts since the release of its first album ‘
Aeon Spell’ by Saregama in 2007. It was nominated in the Best Contemporary World Music at the 50
th Grammy Awards.
Since then, it has become an essential feature in reputed state, national and international events despite the arrival of new act on the scene besides releasing three more albums and other acts.
The band is also credited for reinventing version of folk music called ‘
Howey Music,' and Subong is also inventor of another bamboo percussion called ‘
Tikzik' which was unveiled in Mokokchung during the Discover North East cum Moatsu Fest on May 2, 2014.
According to its website, presently, the band has Arenla on Vocals/ Bamhum/ Tikzik; Moa on Guitar/ Harmonica/ Bamhum/ Tikzik; Aso on Drums and Tikzik; and Meren on Bass. The band profile can be accessed at
http://www.abiogenesis.altpro.net/
