Turn music into revenue-generating industry, Nagaland CM tells musicians

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 22 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday expressed hope of seeing the state becoming one of the music hubs in the Northeast, if not in the country.

The chief minister was speaking at an event held at his residential complex in Kohima, where he gave away musical equipment to five local musicians through the Shure Influencer Programme in partnership with Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA).

In February this year, five artistes — singer and songwriter Alobo Naga and Abdon Mech; drummer David Sunar; guitarist Imnainla Jamir; and folk band Tetseo Sisters — were announced brand ambassadors of Shure, an American audio products corporation, for a period of one year.

With little encouragement and sans platforms, musicians from the state have worked very hard, which is evident today, Rio said even as he lauded TaFMA for trying to bring corporate social responsibility schemes for sponsorship.

He urged the artistes to make music as one of the strengths of the state and turn it into a revenue-generating industry.

He further advised the musicians not to stick to singing other artistes’ songs, while complimenting those composing originals. There is no market even if the music industry improves, he said, while calling upon artistes from the state to excel and find a market.

The chief minister also thanked the American firm for extending Shure Influencer Programme to some Naga artistes of excellence with musical equipment, without which musicians won’t be able to exhibit their real talent.

He acknowledged the company for promoting and identifying local musicians to become Shure “influencers” and for its continued efforts to build a pro-music ecosystem in Nagaland, likening its support to “sunshine after the rain”.

Speaking at the event, TaFMA Advisor Theja Meru said the international company entering Nagaland is a “big achievement”. Shure identifies the best artistes around the world and gives ‘suitable’ equipment to them, he said, added that it is just the beginning as TaFMA is in talks with the company.

He went on to say that TaFMA is taking on the world and setting bigger targets for musicians and artists to achieve.

Dr. Alune Tetseo of Tetseo Sisters also expressed gratitude to the chief minister for supporting musicians from the state, while assuring to carry the name of Nagaland to other places through hard work.