Musician, visionary, and messenger of peace and love, as a young boy, he learned his first few guitar chords almost every night in the kitchen from his uncle when he would be cooking fodder for the pigs. This was the first introduction and in a sense the only formal training in music for Talitemjen Angh.
Known as Tali Angh to most people, he is a worship leader with a conviction about God’s love that is beautiful and inspiring. Shy, humble, and with an endearing personality, he is much loved by comrades both from the music and church fraternity, especially young people love to be around him.
Born in Longleng, his father is from the Phom tribe and mother from the Ao tribe. His family later moved to Dimapur and Tali lived in several places like Kohima, Delhi, and Bangalore. Growing up, he was more interested in sports like football and cricket. It was the moments shared with his uncle that fanned his talent for singing and in High School, he was part of a band. In fact, one rare factor most people are unaware of Tali is that he loved singing Hindi pop songs and was highly influenced by Hindi pop artists like K.K and Silk Route. He even said he use to aspire to become a Hindi pop artist!
It was much later when he was studying at Kohima Science College that Tali’s encounter with God became real and magnified. At the college Evangelistic Union (EU), he found the right channel to express and use his potential. During his college education in Bangalore, he joined the worship team at Naga Christian Fellowship (NCF) Bangalore and later led the worship team for three years.
Recollecting the beginning of his songwriting passion, he admits that it did not come naturally and he really had to work hard to develop the skill. He explained, “I was struck with the thought and question of why Naga musicians do not write their own songs. For too long we had been covering other musicians’ tracks and trying to sound exactly like them. This thought eventually led me to scribble some songs. It was such a struggle for me. I remember, one night out of frustration I even threw the guitar. But later I continued writing and completed my first song by 3 or 4 AM and I remember feeling a sense of achievement. Eventually, the flow got better and I started to enjoy writing songs.”
However, Music for Tali is not only about performing and writing songs. “I don’t want to cling so tight to the tag as a singer-songwriter. We all have our own unique area of calling. For me, it’s about reaching out and music helps because it not only addresses the four corners of the church but appeals and connects to people anywhere and in every situation. I am a worshipper and follower of Jesus Christ. I became a worship leader as a result of following Christ and it’s an honor and I know this is just one of the few roles that I play in establishing God’s kingdom here on earth.”
He also possesses a deep love and concern for the people and Nagaland! Whether it is the underprivileged, the youth, or for the betterment of the society, he is always an active and ready participant. “I know there are deep longings in each of us to see change in our land and there are many issues that I want to address and advices that I want to give to the young people but I have realized that the answer for life and peace is found only in Jesus Christ. So my one simple message to the young people is, if you want to see change and want to be the change then you must have Jesus Christ and follow him obediently and faithfully and love people at any cost. Love is every person’s longing and love never fails. So, may love be your motive always. Be patient, keep working on your talent /gift/passion, and most importantly work on your relationship with God and people,” he stated.
Sharing life lessons he has learned from the last 15-20 years, he said, “If you don’t use and work in what God has given you, you will feel useless or incomplete in life. I have ventured in other areas apart from music and there are stories of failures and wrong decisions but those things never made me stagnant because I have always been working on and using the God-given gift of music and that is why I know now that I never felt useless. And I feel this has led me to a place where I am today not only to do music but to have the opportunity to influence people with God’s love and grace. The key is to value the gift of life and to never give up on life.”
“Today I’m more focused and determined. I’m blessed with a woman who is not only my wife but a great friend. I’m also blessed with a son and more on the way. Really grateful to God for the gift of singing/music/songwriting/which has been effective tool and medium to express and spread the love of God. I’m ever motivated to walk closer with God, to work on my skills, and to write more songs,” he shared.
He also dreams that the younger generation will have greater capacity to love God and to love people. That with God’s love they will be bold enough to explore and conquer places/areas that we and older generation have dreaded. And I definitely want them to live a better life than us in all aspects.
