Music is something the world would be lost without! We feel it, we breathe it, we love it! Eastern Mirror’s - Rhythm of Love- connects our readers to music through conversation with artists as they share their experience with their love …… MUSIC
Music moves us, opens our emotions - passing all barriers. Music is a piece that we can all connect to so Readers get connected with your favorite artists every Friday with Rhythm of Love.
Jano Nyekha, an upcoming young naga musician began at a very early age. A musical genius also talented in the art of song writring. Interestingly Jano never imagined herself taking her music beyond her comfort zone until her knack for music was discovered by her family and since then she was guided by her father who himself is a proficient in music.
Jano works as a pianist and keyboard instructor at School of Music Dimapur. When she isn’t studying or teaching, she spends her time writing and composing music. She is deeply rooted with her culture as is evident from her music.
Her Second single ‘Sweet Melody’ written and composed by her is currently available on Indihut. In today’s ‘Rhythm of Love’ Jano talks about her love and motivation for music.
EASTERN MIRROR: You made a commendable mark in the field of music at such a young age do you think that has been an advantage for you.
JANO NYEKHA: Thank You for having me Eastern Mirror. Yes, I am privileged for the opportunity to learn music from a very young age. I chose Keyboard, and have been playing it as far as I remember, and that has helped me to be more confident with it. I see music as my soul.EASTERN MIRROR: For people who haven’t yet listened to your music, what would you like them to know about it?
JANO NYEKHA: I put my heart and soul into each music that I compose (smiles...).
EASTERN MIRROR: Your music inspiration comes from indigenous folk music and works of famous musicians such as Gudy Garland, Georg Friedrich Handel, Hayley Westenra and Ludwig Van Beethoven. It is something unusual for a contemporary musician. How did you get introduced to them?
JANO NYEKHA: My dad is also a musician, and he was the one who initially introduced me to classical music as well as indigenous. I listen to all forms of music, as well as composed a few contemporaries, but classical became my favourite genre, which I’m most confident in. True that the form of music I love is unusual, and I wish to promote it in our society.
EASTERN MIRROR: Your song ‘Aahoh’ is a Gospel Folk Fusion. Tell us something about it.
JANO NYEKHA: ‘Aahoh’ and ‘Hiyohey’ are expressions used in my Chokri (Chakhesang) dialect, particularly in the songs, to show our happiness, fulfilment, joy of togetherness. I owe my humble talent to God whose Grace guides me through, and that’s how the song came into being.
EASTERN MIRROR: As a young music instructor, do you at times feel you are not taken seriously?
JANO NYEKHA: I began teaching music when I turned 14 years of age. My students continue to come from all age groups, including people above 50 years. It continues to be a challenge for me, like wondering how to address them, the struggle to tell them when they are wrong, etc., but by the grace of God, I’ve always been surrounded by students who take me as I am and care for nothing else but to learn the music, and in the end it has always been an adventure, learning from each other and creating a lifelong friendship.
EASTERN MIRROR: Do you think competitions are helpful for young musicians?
JANO NYEKHA: It is. Competitions help us polish our talents, and also help us overcome the many challenges a musician face, on his strive to achieve perfection. In a competition, we get more pressure to do better, compared to when we are not. The pressure makes us more critical of our music, our performance, how we present ourselves, thereby, emerging with a better quality. So, yes. Competitions are needed for young musicians like me, who wants to make a career in the music industry.
EASTERN MIRROR: What is your take on the music scenario of Nagaland? Three issues that you strongly feel about music in Nagaland?
JANO NYEKHA: We Nagas are all singers in a way. Few seriously take up music as a career. When it comes to music, we the musicians from Nagaland get opportunities, and good platforms to motivate and train ourselves, thanks to the church as well.
However, when it comes to the few who wish to earn their living through music, we face the challenge. In Nagaland, music is respected less, that the musicians mostly end up performing for free most of the time, and is compelled to take up other professions to make ends meet. I strongly believe that this needs to be addressed, so as to give opportunity to people to pursue not only music, but other forms of art also.
