Vebu Khamo, Kohima Bible College.
The North-East particularly Nagaland is known for our love for music. Many outsiders have the notion that the NE people have the inbuilt mechanism that can responds and flow with any type of music be it classical, jazz, hip-hop, rock, metal, punk, pop, country music, Christian music and so on. Of course that’s overstated but it’s true that even the most horrible singer is acquainted with one or the other musical instruments which in itself is very unique. Some of our own local stars have travelled extensively with their musical gifts around the globe. It is expected that more successful bands will come up with innovative and creative ideas in the near future. With our own eyes, we have seen many Naga musicians who started their journey singing gospel melodies and ended up singing songs that do not glorify God or edify the soul of men. But it is really a common phenomenon that when a musician climbs up the ladder of success and influence, it seems another spirit takes hold of them.
Music has the power to sooth and up-lift the depressed. It can also bring optimism in people’s lives. It has the power to destroy and take down people to hell or rescue people from the pit of hell. Freedom and bondage are both intertwined in music. It gave me tons of joy to read from Morung Express on 10 Feb. 16 about a rapper from Tripura. Borkung Hrangkhawl, a politician’s son who wants to impact and promote peace and equality through his rapping. He openly confessed that alcohol, women and parties are not his “taste” when it comes to rapping. I was wondering, “How many of our local artiste can confessed that?” The reasons for choosing the path of musical career is reflected in the songs that the musicians sing or play. Musicians, therefore, should be very conscious in the composing of songs or in choosing the songs because listeners are directly or indirectly swayed by their musical abilities. They influence the mass in a very big way. I don’t need to mention about the youngsters in particular who have succumbed to the influence of bad music. Music in and of itself is neutral and it can be a tool for a good purpose or a bad one. Mostly the world of music in moving in the latter’s direction.
Today, music is being commercialised and is sought for popularity and fame. But there must be a higher purpose to God’s liberality in endowing humans with the musical abilities.No endowment from above is without a purpose. Every good and perfect gift is from above, says St. James. Music is a gift that God has entrusted us with a responsibility.It was through music that opened the hearts of our grandparents to embrace the gospel from the Western missionaries. If the power of music is utilized for the right reasons, I believe it would heal most of the world’s pain and suffering.Somewhere within our own souls, we crave for the humming of melody to calm our storms. That is the reason why God has instituted music for the good of humanity.
