Dreamz Unlimited viral videos raise pertinent social issues in Nagaland
Moa Jamir Morung Express Feature
SCENE I: A son excitedly comes home and informs his father that he got a job. Delighted, the father immediately announces a feast for the who’s who of the village by killing a swine to celebrate the joyful news. Give felicitation in local papers with congratulatory notes on the bottom saying - from loving parents, he proudly declares.
His short-lived excitement, however, turns to utter dejection when he comes to know the nature of the job - a private job with IBM in Mumbai. The son tries hard to convince his father explaining about various benefits the job offers –including car, bungalow and life and health insurance etc. But it is not a government job, right? I told you even if it is a peon or watchman job, get one in the government sector. “But from where did you find this IBM-CyBM job,” he dismissively chides his son. So do we cut the swine? A voice enquires in the background. Cut only a dry fish, the father retorts wryly. SCENE II: 
“Instead of mixing kerosene in petrol, if the oil franchises are putting a little amount of petrol in kerosene how will my engine last,” a grumpy vehicle owner is seen muttering when a participant from a talent competition enters the scene with the intention of selling ‘votes’ for the ‘Next Superstar’ talent show. “Aya! How many superstars are there in Nagaland?” the man asks sarcastically. “If you look here, there is a superstar, if you look there, there is a superstar. If you look back and front, there is a superstar. A common person like me is finding it difficult to survive among so many superstars.” Did you enter the contest to become a salesman and the organiser instead of looking at your talent, making you into one? He further enquires. The first video entitled, ‘The Job Factor’ looks at Nagas’ pre-occupation with the government jobs and how getting such a job has become the ultimate goals of both the parents and children. Don’t search to buy talent with money but try to make money or career out of your talent is the message from the second video titled, ‘Reality Bites’, which highlights the rampant ‘vote selling’ associated with talent competiions in Nagaland. A contest should be about talent, not salesmanship, it further implies. Another video called ‘The Big Scope’ takes a dig at Nagas whose educational orientation depends on the results of their exams. A young examinee being interviewed about her career goals answers, “If I get 70-80%, I’ll study science; 50-60% commerce; and below that – Arts or Theology.” A trend that was common among the Nagas a decade back. The Nagaland roads are multipurpose giving its citizens its various livelihood opportunities, another popular video, ‘Our Boulevard’ points out commenting on the deplorable road conditions in Nagaland. We want both the meat and the bone, depicts another video entitled, ‘In the System’ dealing with the widespread proxy system that exists in Nagaland especially in the educational sector. These viral videos were made and shared by Dreamz Unlimited (DU) - a Theatre & Film Production House based in Dimapur which started in 2008 after a workshop with the National School of Drama, New Delhi. Talking about the hugely popular videos, DU’s Director Tiakumzuk Aier says that the videos were an extension of its play which caters to only a few live audiences with a strong sarcasm about contemporary social issues in our society. 
“The appreciation and encouragement we received from the audience gave us the boost to try and take it to a bigger platform,” he adds. Consequently, starting from this year, the plays were taken to social media to cater to Naga audiences worldwide. “We also try and stick to short videos with a strong message, incorporated with humour and sarcasm,” Aier maintains. DU’s objectives were not misplaced. For instance, the videos, ‘Reality Bites’ and ‘The Job Factor’ have generated over 12,678 and 16,123 viewing and multiple sharing respectively so far on its Facebook page while other videos have generated respectable numbers. A compilation video posted on August 23 “On the Lighter Side,” has generated nearly 16,000 views and 281 shares in just two weeks. The reaches would be much higher as the videos are generously shared over other social media platforms like Whatsapp group ensuring a vastly bigger audience. Till date the response we received from social media has been overwhelming, Aier said pleased at the prospect that the intended messages were delivered. It helps that the videos are made in Nagamese – the lingua franca of the Nagas. It also connects instantly with the audience as it depicts the pertinent issues they are encountering daily. The videos also work as the deliveries are flawless, backed with impeccable comic timing and great acting interspersed with a strong dose of sarcasm and witty one-liners. But such performances come naturally to the DU artistes comprising of students, and those full-time into theatre and film people. Since its inception, they have created and performed a number of productions both at the state and national arena dealing with wide-range of issues. Among others, ‘Technicolour Dreams’ - a production under the direction of Assamese theatre director Rabijita Gogoi, which was invited to various Theatre festivals and conferences around India; ‘Scapin the Scoundrel’ – a comedy written by Moliére which won 1st prize in One Act play Category at the first Northeast Youth Festival in Kohima 2009; and ‘Lichaba’s Daughter’ – performed in Imphal on February 2011 in North East Theatre Festival with subsequent performances in Guwahati, Sikkim and Delhi at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts Festival (IGNCA), New Delhi. Besides, DU has also collaborated with various central & state government departments’ and NGOs for campaigns on socially relevant themes and challenges. It includes short film/play on Census, Malaria, HIV/ AIDS, drug addiction, human trafficking, RTI, Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Campaign etc. Four artistes from DU Team were also part of the Nagaland Contingent who performed in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, the United Kingdom in August 2014 Besides occasionally hitting the festival and theatre circuit, DU is also actively involved in organising theatre workshops and awareness across many platforms in the state. The DU director Tiakumzuk Aier has directed two Christian feature films in Ao language -Rewind & The Wake-Up Call in 2012 and 2014 respectively which were widely appreciated by the masses. The Director further informs that a plan is afloat to open a drama school in Nagaland in the future but things have not materialised so far. There are invitations from schools and colleges to teach drama and we plan to undertake such projects earnestly, he adds. “We are also planning to make a full-fledged movie along with working something out for the artiste to have sustainability.” The Videos can be watched here: On the Lighter Side - https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1250073441703920/ Reality Bites https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1222346391143292/ In the System https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1206575116053753/ Our Boulevard https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1166843173360281/ The Job Factor https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1135722149805717/ The Big Scope https://www.facebook.com/DreamzUnlimitedNagaland/videos/1132595746785024/
