Naga Orpheus Hunt 2012: Judges will play the most important role

 

Aspiring singers can start gearing up their talents for season 7 of Naga Orpheus Hunt (earlier known as Naga Idol). It has been informed that viewers can expect something different this season. “...there will be surprises along the way,” said Arenla Lemtur, who will be hosting the show.
In the past years, there were criticisms about the show’s voting system, so in a bid to avoid unfairness, the organisers have come up with a new norm. There will be equal distribution between the judges’ remarks and public voting - a 50-50 deal. Also, for the whole show there will be only one ‘wild card entry’ so it means that the contestants have to really perform well or else they get eliminated. The judges are Tali Angh, Nise Meruno who is back in the show after a gap of two years and Ate Kevichusa – the new face. “...judges will be playing the most important role this year,” Arenla said.
It was also informed that Incipit, a Dimapur based rock band has consented to perform as a  live band during the show. This means no more using of sound tracks during the competition rounds.
Making things more interesting, the first Naga Idol Moanungsang will be mentoring the contestants. The organisers also revealed that they will be hiring a professional stylist to groom the contestants.
This year’s show is being organised by the Dorians Society Dimapur under the aegis of Mokokchung District Art and Culture Council (MDACC). The Dorians are determined to raise the standard of the show and rope in the best of talents. The first audition will be conducted at Mon on September 1 - the first Naga Orpheus Hunt audition in the district. Also, with capable district partners, the organisers are also confident.
On hospitality arrangements, Cultural Secretary of Dorians Society  K Wapong Longkumer said the accommodation and transportation will be arranged for the contestants during the competition rounds.  He also said Dorians society members have been divided into different teams. The first team will be overall in charge of the show, another team to take care of Dimapur district, and the rest teams to see over hospitality, technical aspects etc.
After the audition, there will be three rounds in which the last round would be “local dialect round”. All the shows will be conducted in Dimapur except for the grand finale in Mokokchung, around second week of December  2012 coinciding with M-Fest. The winner will be awarded a sum of Rs 7 lakhs.

...and judges say
Nise Meruno said having good voice alone is not enough to win the title but performance is equally important.  At the end we are going to choose someone who will represent Nagaland. An artiste who will inspire us with singing as well as who can control the stage.
He also pointed out that when someone sings a cover of an international singer, they copy everything except dictions. To which he cited an example that in the market there are products which seem exactly like the original but when you turnover it is written “Made in China”.
On choosing the right                                                                    songs, he said Nagas have to let go of some songs and venture out, adding that a song sung by a person may not go well with another so the contestants have to choose the right one which will go well with their personality. Further, Nise said winning the competition is not enough but the “person should know how to take off”.
Agreeing with Nise’s statement on performance, Ate Kevichusa said: “...people should enjoy not only hearing you song but watching you sing.” She also said that diction is very important. When a contestant sings a cover of another singer, he or she should also copy the diction as well. However, she said it doesn’t mean that she will be strict on that because at the end of the day it is about good voice. On being creative, Ate said contestants can bring in new rearrangement to their songs since there will be a live band this time.
Tali Angh agreeing with his associates too said that a “wrong diction kills the song”, confessing that he sometimes ask his wife to correct his dictions. He also said the judges will be looking out for someone who is not just a winner of the show but someone who is responsible and “not a liability but an asset to the society... a young role model”.

MExN

 

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Profile of the Judges


Ate Kevichusa

She is an experienced director and producer with over 15 years of work exposure in the media and television industry and live events, with specialization in conceptualization, developing, directing and editing of television shows and events.
Presently she is based in Nagaland and Mumbai, India as Creative and Content Head of self owned company ‘Little Fire’, specializing in events and entertainment productions, documentary films and television shows.
She has worked with renown channels such as MTV, 9X, INX Media, Zoom, CNN IBN, Channel V, AXN  etc.  She has also directed a documentary film on the conflict situation in Nagaland called ‘Ashes of Our Land.
In the field of music she was the lead vocalist for a Mumbai based band called Orphean Revival with renowned music director Ashutosh Pathak of Blue Frog.


Tali Angh

Tali is a singer and a songwriter and is currently working on a debut album. He will be judging the Naga Orpheus Hunt’s contestants for the third time. He is also a proprietor of a School in Longleng district.
He says using the gift of music in him inspire him with passion and purpose to do many other things in life. Music is  heaven’s one powerful melodic resource meant to inspire and transform lives with eternal hope. I can’t afford not using it when I have it.


Nise Meruno

Celebrated internationally renowned artiste trained in Singapore. He has performed with world class musicians and singers all over the country and abroad. He has performed for the President of India four times. Also a fashion icon and choreography.
Nise has graced the cover of magazines like Time Out International, Platform and Eclectic Vibes last year. He was recognised as one of the top 30 young achievers of the country by India Today magazine. He is the proud brand ambassador for international music company AKG by Harman, Austria.
Last month he performed with Zowe Madrigal for World Music day in Bangkok.