An independent recording house cum jam station in Dimapur, Nagaland. (Courtesy: Temjen Jamir)
Artists call for more technical expertise
Imlisanen Jamir
Dimapur | May 8
The Government of Nagaland in 2006 began the endeavor to promote music as an industry in the state. It set up the Music Task Force which has since been working to promote local talent and attract outside interest. Gugs Chishi, the Project Director for the Music Task Force in a conversation with The Morung Express revealed that a key goal was to enable people to choose music as a professional career.
The vision was to “facilitate” a self sufficient industry that would contribute to entrepreneurial success and artistic development. Chishi asserted that the main focus of the Task Force was to facilitate the music scene with proper infrastructure and equipments. In addition to this, the Task Force set out to encourage local artists and improve the quality of music production and their artistry.
In pursuance of these objectives, music as a discipline was introduced under the NBSE’s higher secondary school curriculum and the state provided support to the setting up of music training institutes. Notable among these is the Nagaland Conservatory of Music, to which a state grant of Rs 79 lakhs was awarded in 2012. The government also supported the now famous National Hornbill Rock Contest which started in 2006. The ‘Road Shows’ which started off in 2009 is another undertaking towards this end.
Chishi stated that the initiatives of the Task Force have generated some success in attracting attention from outside Nagaland. He mentioned the Yahama store in Dimapur and the Airtel sponsorship of the National Rock Contest as signs of big companies taking notice of the local music scene. Chishi stated that the number of recording houses in Nagaland have doubled over the past few years, indicating a progress in the music production industry. He informed there has been interest from outside the county for the Hornbill National Rock Contest. Chishi asserted that this has led the government to upgrade the contest on an international scale.
The project director reiterated that Task Force’s commitment to continue supporting the music scene but also stated that they would act only as a “facilitator.” While supporting public-private partnership in the industry, he maintained that in the long run, the industry would need to be self sufficient.
He however acknowledged the existence of obstacles to the progress of the music industry. The lack of skilled manpower to operate the equipments seemed to top the list. This leads to a need for people to be trained not only in performance of music but in the production of music well. He expressed hope for the musicians and artists to step up and deliver quality music.
On the other hand, musicians while appreciating the initiative of the task force also stated that a lot more needs to be done. A common concern observed while conversing with musicians was the need for skilled and technical manpower, a concern that was put forward by the Music Task Force as well.
Theja Meru, a veteran musician and a fervent promoter of local talent agreed that the production quality in Nagaland is not up to the mark. “People want success overnight,” he said. He exclaimed that not many people in the state are willing to work hard and equip themselves with proper skills to produce quality products. “You get some money, go online and read for a few hours and open a recording house.” This, he said was a detrimental to the progress of the industry.
Lui Tzudir from Off advocated skilled manpower for not only recording houses but also for those involved in the marketing end of things. “There needs to be a proper marketing structure as well,” He added.
Obed from Divine connection also reiterated this concern by stating that proper technical expertise is a hurdle for quality production. Obed stated that being an official government initiative, “there are bound to be some confrontations.” However, in spite of “certain shortcomings”, he applauded the initiative and hoped for a more concerted effort.
Meru stated that the government initiative has been helpful for the promotion of bands on a local level. However, he said that local artists need to acquire “visibility” on the national and international scene as well. He also added that this is an area that the task force should work on. “The extremely competitive nature of the music industry requires aggressive efforts to gain visibility”, he stated. “This is one area that the government has fallen short in,” he added.
Meru however conceded that the government will only have to initiate the progress, stating that artists will have to at some point take over their careers themselves. “They should not become dependent,” he added
The music ‘industry’ still has a long way to go in Nagaland and a combined and complimentary effort from the artistic community and the government may help the ‘industry’ develop.
