[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE much awaited screening for this year Naga Orpheus Hunt was held at Eastern Talkies in Mokokchung where 18 aspiring NOH, 2013 contestants out of 21 were selected to go through for the first recording round.Altogether two contestants from Zunheboto and one from Mokokchung were eliminated after a tiring audition which lasted for more than seven hours. The name of the selected contestants from Mokokchung are Alemkaba, Meyinungsang Longkumer, Yapangtola, Lijem Atsongchanger and Sentimenla. Kohima contestants comprising David Sailo, Tovi Achumi, T.Apenla Sangtam and Vesuto Medeo were spared the axe for this round. The lone drawback for Dimapur was the inability of one contestant Kavitoli Kiba who could not turn up for the screening round due to some personal matter. Except for that Abetoli Awomi, Nokinwaba, Pongchai Konyak and Ajungba Longkumer got through for the second recording round.
The selected contestants from Zunheboto are Obed N Jimo, Mikato Sumi, Nogheli Z Muru, Kinitoli Y Yeputho, Vikatoli Yepthomi and Tonakali.
The main highlights of the screening round were the outstanding performance by Meyinungsang Longkumer from Mokokchung and the ever bubbly Nogheli Z Muru, former Kids for Fame, 2009 finalist from Zunheboto whose singing and quality vocal tone control left the panel of judge showering them with only positive remarks. Indeed the version of Bronu Mars song ‘Just the way you are’ by Meyinungsang Longkumer impressed the judges so much that they requested another song which he gladly obliged.
It is to be noted that the recording round will be held at Mokokchung in the second week of October which the organisers will notify through various means of communications like local papers and social networking sites.
