With competition permeating all aspects of human life, the desire for a more meaningful and productive human engagement has gathered further momentum. In the present day context, meaning and productivity have come to be measured by distinctiveness, and hence, originality. Talents and skills derive value and self-worth when based on originality. For example, it is not enough for a musician to have a naturally good voice or be well versed with an instrument. The natural talent and skill needs to be accompanied with an original flair. Originality drives creativity, impacts sustainability and inspires transformation of human life.
One of the stereotypes – is the supposition that Nagas generally have a good singing voice and that harmony and chanting is innate to the Naga way of life. While one may admit that every generation has been gifted with young Naga women and men recognized for their voice and music, yet, the missing link that continues to plague its natural progression is originality. It is true that a few Nagas have indeed broken out and found their own unique musical expression. Nonetheless, as far as the music industry as a whole is concerned, it is found wanting in the area of originality.
The challenge of originality is not confined to the area of music alone. Across the blue mountains the Naga originality seems to be stifled and conditioned by a more dominant and powerful worldview. This in turn is leading to bankruptcy of ideas and a degenerating culture. Furthermore, the practice of imitation is quickly eroding the Naga ability to be independent, distinct and original in thought and action, thereby, limiting Naga worldview and way of living. The absence of originality is a predicament that requires a social and political response. This cycle needs to be broken by invoking and evolving a critical consciousness that breathes new life into our imagination.
Recovering our imagination and knowledge based on inclusive and progressive value systems that are rooted in Naga worldview is required, and one that can eventually challenge the status quo across all spheres of life. This recovery is vital towards a new Naga consciousness for nurturing a vibrant and life giving culture. The art of story-telling and music is located at the heart of this process.
Recovering originality does not necessarily mean going back in historical time and space. It simply implies identifying the positive core values inherent from within the world views of the many nations that comprise the Nagahood, learning from past experiences and creatively transforming these values and learning into a praxis of action and reflection to be relevant, dynamic and life-giving in the modern world.
This path to recovering originality is crucial to the path of transformation for the Nagas. The process of rediscovery involves a trajectory sometimes called – the decolonizing the mind. In other words, it is about unlearning and relearning about who we are as a people. This in turn redefines the intimate interplay between creativity and imagination; and eventually the relationship between individual and community.
