Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Shikatoli Kiho

Dynamic Shikatoli Kiho gained notoriety with her cover of Bollywood songs before releasing her first original “Shikimthi” earlier this year. A finalist at the Naga Hindi Voice Season 4 in 2018, she’s now studying to become an Educator.
Read on to learn about Kiho’s inspirations, creative process and much more.

Eastern Mirror: Tell us about yourself and take us through your musical journey.
Shikatoli Kiho: My name is Shikatoli Kiho and I’m from Kuhuboto Town currently pursing certificate in Hindi and aspiring to be an Educator.

Eastern Mirror: Was making music what you always dreamt of doing?
Yes, music has always been my dream since childhood. I always wanted to sing and I also wanted to be an educator so I’m pursuing and working towards my goal to be an educator.

Eastern Mirror: Why did you start to do Hindi cover songs?
My love for Hindi music has been a big force for me to do covers of Hindi songs and of course my family and friends always supported my passion and helped bring out the best in me.

Eastern Mirror: What inspired you to write and release your original “Shikimthi”?
Shikimthi was my first ever original. My parents have always been supportive of what I do and wanted to do. I am and will always be grateful for what they did for me and so I wrote the song “Shikimthi” (thank you) for them.

Eastern Mirror: Talk us through your song “Shikimthi” and the creative process in writing the song.
It happened like this…on a free day as I was playing my guitar I wrote a few lines randomly while recalling how supportive my parents have been and how fortunate I am to have them. Also, I happened to write the song on a day which was an important one for me and that’s how the song “Shikimthi” happened. Shikimthi in Sumi means “Thank you” and through this song I wanted to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. So the song is all about being thankful or grateful.

Eastern Mirror: Who are your favourite Naga artistes and why?
There are so many Naga Artistes who are doing so well, but one particular artiste that I admire and love is Zuchobeni Tungoe… I should say she is multitalented.

Eastern Mirror: Which of your accomplishments have given you satisfaction and why?
I don’t want to call it as accomplishment but I was a finalist of Naga Hindi Voice Season 4 (2018) which I’m grateful for because it boosted my spirit and my passion towards music and I’m still counting.

Eastern Mirror: How and where do you envision yourself in the future?
I visualise myself as a Teacher in the near future and I’m preparing myself for it currently while I continue to make music which has been my passion since I can remember.

Eastern Mirror: Do you have any projects in the pipeline?
No, I have other career plans for now but I will never give up on music and that is for sure.