Clement Imsong
In the world of artistry, musicians stand as custodians of passion and dedication. Yet, in Nagaland, their melodies are met with an orchestra of obstacles and discordant notes. These artisans of melody, driven by their love for the craft, navigate a landscape where their harmonies seldom resonate with sustainable livelihoods.
A Heartfelt Journey: Choosing music wasn't an easy road but a testament to their love for the art. However, the reality bites hard - a landscape riddled with financial uncertainties, fleeting income from gigs, and a barren market for album sales. The traditional music industry, once thriving on tangible music sales, now grapples with the harsh truth that music, in its digital form, holds little monetary value.
The State's Lament: In Nagaland, opportunities for musicians are a cacophony of challenges. Performances find fragile ground, confined to sporadic events like the annual Hornbill Festival, a “once in a year big event” or bustling wedding seasons. Yet, these stages seldom resonate financially, leaving musicians strumming through an abyss of unsustainable income.
Missing Crescendos: The Industry Ensemble: A thriving music industry isn't sculpted solely by musicians; it's a symphony requiring the presence of producers, engineers, studios, publishers, promoters, agents, streaming platforms, retailers, educational institutes, and live music venues. Sadly, Nagaland's musical ensemble lacks some of these integral components. The scarcity of live music spaces and platforms deprives artists of opportunities to showcase their talent and earn a living.
A Quest fo Stability: The absence of eateries offering live music further dims the tune. Such establishments globally nurture musicians, fostering growth through performance opportunities. Yet, in Nagaland's dearth, artists are stunted in professional growth, starved of chances to shine, earn and sculpt a competitive musical landscape.
The Unsung Realities: Travelling gigs, while exhilarating, prove to be transient moments. Once the curtain falls, it's a chapter etched in records, but with little resonance among fans. This transient experience fails to orchestrate a sustainable career for musicians.
A Deluge of Music Schools: Desperate for stability, musicians have assumed roles as educators. However, this wave of music schools risks inundating the state, churning out artists without addressing the dire need for a robust, sustainable music ecosystem.
Striking a Discordant Note: The proliferation of music schools, while well-intentioned, exacerbates the challenge. The influx of institutions focuses on education but inadvertently saturates the industry with aspiring musicians. However, these musicians face the same formidable odds, pushing the tally of artists without elevating the ecosystem for their sustainability.
Harmony Amid Dissonance: Beyond passion, musicians seek a livelihood. Yet, the industry is a fragmented score, yearning for unity. Without venues, promoters, educational backing, and a nurturing environment, discord prevails.
A Ray of Hope: Nagaland shines uniquely in India, adorned with a dedicated department passionately nurturing the flourishing tapestry of arts and music in the state. TAFMA (Task Force for Music & Arts) heralds a ray of optimism. Yet, the crescendo of Nagaland's music remains incomplete without collective efforts. The industry must synchronise passion with pragmatic measures to orchestrate a prosperous future for its musicians.
