Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | May 26
While it was the popular social networking website called MySpace that was responsible for giving the big break to world-renown musicians like Adele and Colbie Caillat during the 2000s, Global video-sharing website, YouTube has now proved to be an invaluable tool in launching the careers of many talented artists including emerging young musicians from Nagaland.
Virie became a household name after her cover of ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’, a song by New Zealand Singer, Lorde went viral on YouTube in 2014. Her cover video has hit 19,423 views and still counting. Virie, who initially uploaded her video on YouTube for the sole intention of sharing her work with fellow music lovers, did not expect so many positive comments, but she was undeniably inspired to pursue it further.
The young Naga music sensation has since performed for several occasions amongst which include Hornbill Festival last year. She also opened for the internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute band. Terming YouTube as a great platform for musicians, she revealed that, “It is only because of YouTube that people started calling me for shows.”
She has to her credit, a debut single titled, “Silver Lining Skies” featuring Polar Lights and “Down That Road” with her friend, Zaza, which were released on www.indihut.com.
Another young Naga girl, Moajungla Jamir became a singing sensation after her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” on YouTube went viral, and has generated over 17,635 views. The news came to her as a surprise since she had no idea that her video was doing the rounds.
“I didn’t know which video went viral because I have a bunch of crazy fans (family members and friends) who love taking videos of me while I sing. So, when I first saw the video, I felt awkward and embarrassed with the background but as I saw the feedbacks and response from people, I felt encouraged and happy; and thought, maybe it was God’s plan”, she explained.
Moajungla Jamir started singing at a very young age and would recall entertaining passengers in the bus with the song, “I want it that way” by Backstreet Boys when she was just three years old.
“My first experience with guitar was when my father made one for me as we couldn’t afford a guitar that time”, she shared her heart-tugging story, while adding further- “with time, I gradually learned to play with the help of my brother.”
Her incredible talent has led her to perform at many prestigious events including the Nagaland Youth Summit organized by YouthNet early this year. She has also performed at schools, colleges and churches on different occasions.
Currently pursuing B.A 2nd Year at St. John College, Dimapur, she has no definite plans to make a career out of music even while insisting that, “I want to focus on my studies right now.” However, she is clear when she says, “singing is my passion and will always be.” Further confessing that, “I am a shy person by nature and the only time I can express and be myself is when I sing”, she went on to state that, “One feedback that I always get from people who listen to my singing is that my voice has the ability to touch the hearts of the listeners. So maybe I can use that as a strength to convey a message through my song.”
It may be noted that most of the hundreds of millions of videos uploaded to YouTube attract relatively little interest; they may be viewed by friends or family, but don’t get a lot of attention from elsewhere. In fact, about half of YouTube videos get fewer than 100 views in their first month, and only 30% of uploaded videos are viewed more than 200 times.
