Susan Waten Naga
I was caught in traffic for 3 hrs (last year it took 4 hrs from Kisama to the local ground) on my way to Kisama from Kohima. I reached just on time to witness the spectacular performance of the two winning bands. The indefinable frustration of traffic did not seem to matter any more. Somehow I instinctively knew that Hobos from Kolkatta and XTC from Dimapur, Nagaland would emerge as the definite winners for the night. Hence I spent considerable amount of time observing them and wondering what stuff winners are made of.
Souvik, the handsome long haired vocalist of Hobos, an otherwise cool and composed guy, and diplomatic to the core in evading controversial questions, had an interesting way of expressing the “thrill” of winning. In a moment of absolute frenzy, he threw himself flat on the stage floor, looking almost immobile for a good 40 secs or so. This act alerted some of us who thought he died of a heart attack (!) or perhaps fell unconscious. I for one was already scanning the place for a stretcher – just in case! Then he rose just in time and impulsively walked backstage while the other band members continued to perform without him. It was the last show and the crowd was already beginning to disperse. Souvik was frantically trying to get him mum on his cell and at the same time being interviewed when a flustered volunteer came running to call him back on stage to finish off the final act. Well, I guess that’s the kind of extraordinary euphoria any winner would feel, given the added bonus of carrying a sleek Rs. 4 lakh cheque home.
Just before the final results were announced, I asked Akum, the bassist of XTC this question, “How would you describe your feeling if this year’s winner too is from the mainland, for instance, the Hobos, and not from Nagaland?” He replied instantly, “I’d be happy if Hobos won. Bands from the mainland are the ones who will spread the message around and we want the country to know about us. We’d love to have more bands from the mainland competing. We learn from one another and it’s a good exchange. No, we won’t regret even if we don’t win 1st place. We thoroughly enjoyed performing and it just doesn’t matter if Hobos win.” I’d easily rate him 110 on 100 for fabulous attitude. What I noticed was the infectious enthusiasm and great positive spirit that both the winning bands seemed to possess.
Last year Hobos made it to the finals but unfortunately did not sound spectacular enough to bag even one of those categorical prizes. I was curious to know the motivation behind their return to the same competition. Souvik categorically maintained that it was not the cash prize they were precisely after, nor was it so much the desire to win what they lost out last year. In his words, “We came back because we loved the whole atmosphere and experience last year. We made many friends; we love the place and the people. Kohima is an unusually cold place but the people are so warm and that makes up for everything.” Well phrased…but what about the super attractive prize attached to the competition, was it not motivation enough (even in a remote or subtle way) for their return? He did finally concede, “We made preparations back home so that we produce sound satisfaction this time. I won’t deny the prize money is an attraction, but more than that we’re here for the experience and the thrill of performing in front of the best audience in the country.”
Last year’s audience consisted of 30,000 people in the jam packed Kohima local ground and this year it was by far scantier and more scattered at Kisama. Arko, the guitarist of Hobos insisted, “The crowd density does not reduce the spirit of competition. It’s more fun performing to an audience scattered on the slopes rather than constricted on a plat surface.” Appearing to possess a delightfully spontaneous and carefree personality, Arko forthrightly revealed the motivation behind their return to the competition. He said, “We didn’t win last year. We have to win this year. We’re here prepared to win and striving to win is the biggest challenge.” Ooooo I love that spirit! I asked Subhrajit, the group’s drummer if he was expecting to win. He replied somewhat soberly, “Sort of.” Sure enough, he captured the prize for the best drummer and pocketed a smooth Rs. 25,000/- cash prize.
XTC – I simply loved their music, neither too harsh nor too restrained but distinct in sound and impressive in skill. Their stage performance and group cohesiveness was quite laudable. Vocalist Moanungsang, winner of Naga Idol 2006, displayed admirable showmanship and audience rapport, a factor he used to full advantage. Last year he stepped back as vocalist and allowed veteran Naga musician Dannyboy to take centre stage and perform in the competition under the band name Syndicate. According to Moanungsang, “We wanted to give Dannyboy a much deserved platform and tell our people that no discrimination should exist against people living with HIV/AIDS; all are equal human beings. It was his dream come true when he won for the best original song composition last year.” Within a month of winning in the competition he passed away from this earth. According to Akum, “He regained his will to live for a while. He was in a bad shape and almost gave up but we encouraged him and put him on stage. It was an unforgettable experience performing with him.” XTC sang Freddie Mercury’s song, “I want to break free” in memory of Dannyboy and also dedicated it to all those still living with HIV/AIDS. The song was well received in the qualifying round. In the final round, they dished out two original and two cover songs each.
The judges (Rosier De Souza, L. Tochhawng and Dr. Manoj Pant) were jazz musicians and not rock musicians per say. De Souza expressed, “In my country Brazil, rock music is considered violent music; however, here it’s enjoyed.” I enquired as to whether he had any difficulty forming mental structures to address the rock genre as a judge. He replied, “Music is the same everywhere. There’s the high level and the low level music. The music here is high level in terms of skill and technicality.” Subhrajit, the drummer of Hobos asserted, “The language of music is universal, whether it’s in the form of jazz or rock genre.” Akum of XTC maintained, “Jazz musicians are seasoned musicians. Many rock musicians retire as jazz musicians in their mature years.” Moa added, “We are judged in this competition according to these criteria – originality, crowd interaction, stage presence and skill.”
Hobos performed 5 original numbers in the final night. Souvik, the song writer of the group expressed, “In the north east people are exposed to various kinds of rock music and we wanted to produce a different sound. With your own songs, you can sing it the way you want to.” Does he display lyric responsibility in his music? “Yes, I’m very conscious about the kind of lyrics I write.” Moanungsang articulated his concern about the “disturbing lyrics” that many young rock musicians tend to enjoy. He commented, “Many lyrics express anger. Lyrics filter into our daily lives. We must be very conscious about the contents because they convey a message to the people.” I guess this explains why both Hobos and XTC carries a clean image so effortlessly. As a band XTC has been around for 5 yrs with mobile transferable members over time. Akum was awarded the best bassist and the band as 2nd runners up in a north east beat contest. This year they stood 1st runners up with the exceptionally talented keyboardist Nuklu being awarded as the best keyboardist. Hobos, though only 3 yrs old, stood 2nd national runners up for DSP Rockillution and was also a finalist for Yamaha Roxx, to mention a few laurels.
Sentienla Toy Threadgill, a research scholar on Music from New York University and also a guest judge along with Koko Haralu for the final night, expressed surprise that Hobos bagged the 1st prize. Her taste was more in the lines of Mizoram’s As She Fades and Nagaland’s XTC. Yet I guess after intense scrutiny and persistent interactions backstage, I just couldn’t miss noticing that “extra something,” perhaps a fine cutting edge, peculiar to the Hobos and possessed distinctively by them that made them winners all the way. So what’s the future for them post Hornbill Rock Fest 2007? According to vocalist Souvik, “This is the biggest stepping stone so far. We intend to write new songs and perform more and more live gigs every where.” Besides having talent, the crucial elements of hard work and persistence never fail to pay off, and this was proven in the competition both by Hobos and XTC. Well then, may their musical aspirations find meaningful completion in the Almighty’s road map and destiny for your lives. God Bless!
