The world must have
been some 20 years younger than it is today; I remember as a kid, my grandma taking
all the pain to make sure that her grandchildren learn some of these songs. These
songs were once the basic foundation of a unique culture, unexplored and hidden
somewhere within the thick forest at the tip of the vast Himalayan range, the land
of the Nagas and the Culture of its people. Unfortunately, her grandchildren
betrayed her for Michael Learns to Rock and Bon Jovi. Now, that culture is finding
it hard to survive the present.
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| Tetseo Sisters (Source www.tetseosisters.com) |
North East India maybe
considered as the hub to western music when we talk of the country India at
large. Looking at the present scenario, someday very soon, I am afraid it might
even host its very own version of the Woodstock, maybe somewhere at Shillong or
Dimapur. The Hornbill Rock Contest is making waves already attracting lots of
participants countrywide. Pick a random kid and give him a guitar, he will play
it like Carlos Santana, no kidding (well of course I am an exception). That is
a good thing right? Yes, it is a very good thing.
Well, not at the cost
of your own culture, your traditions and most importantly, not at the cost of
the only one thing that is the only way your very origin is defined. As a Naga,
we should always remember that we never had a written history, whatever it is
or that we have today, it was passed down to us through our traditional folk
songs. We can’t afford to lose this.
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| Kuvelii Tetseo (Source www.tetseosisters.com) |
Now we will be speaking
with Kuvelü Tetse-O, from the very sensational “Tetseo Sisters”, who have been
trying their best to mend this very gap with their “Li”. “Li” that has nudge
out a new hope and inspirations for its younger generations and; a never
experienced before culture to the rest of the world.
One-on-One
with Kuvelü Tetse-O
Zhoniu:
Hello Kuvelü!!! Very glad to meet you and you look gorgeous as always. *Smiles*
Kuvelü
Tetseo: Thanks Zhoniu. You are very kind. Same here.
*Smiles*
Z:
Welcome!!! Would you like a coffee? *Set a coffee for two*
KT:
Thank you. Yes, please.
Z:
Before we begin, I wanted to say thank you for what you and your sisters
are doing for our Naga culture, and give you a hug for that.
KT:
We are grateful for the love and encouragement. Thanks. We are just doing a
little bit. We all need to do our bit :)
Z:
So I heard, Tetseo Sisters were on a tour to New Delhi recently. How was the
experience?
KT:
We were on our first South India Tour and then wrapped up with a couple of
gigs in Delhi. Delhi is our second home and it is always great to be there, whether
performing or just shopping :)
Z:
That sounds lovely. So how long have you been singing with your sisters?
KT:
As far back as I can remember. But we all do our own stuff too. As Tetseo
Sisters on a proper stage, it’s been almost twenty years. Ever since I was a
toddler, I have been singing.
Z:
So, were you like “I had in me, this singing thing” and just started it? Or were
your sisters a part of the reason/inspiration behind this career?
KT:
I have always loved singing. It was just great that we could sing together
and we inspire each other. My parents are very musical and they were the once
who encouraged us to learn singing all kinds of songs. They are the ones behind
our success so far.
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| Kuvelii Tetseo (Source www.tetseosisters.com) |
Z:
Apart from singing, you also write awesome poetries and blog about fashion.
What inspires you and how do you manage all this things? For me, I can barely
maintain my blog when I am painting (shame on me). *Sips coffee*
KT:
I don’t write poetry. That is my sister Mercy’s interest. I blog about
things that make me happy and people I admire and look up to. I do a bit of
fashion in it, interview or write about beautiful and special people; and I
love styling and getting these looks photographed. I am thankfully a good
juggler and my sisters are always there to help me out. Blogging takes quite a
lot of time and effort. And we travel and get real busy so I often stay up late
to do new posts and this depends on the Internet network too. A lot of work but
fun. You can find my blog “My salad days” at a new address now. www.kuveluart.blogspot.in
Join
me there.
Z:
Wow!!! I think I would need a crash course from you one of these days. *Laughs* and yes, please don't forget to follow her blog.
KT:
I am sure you are doing just fine.
Z:
As I can see, you and your sisters are doing very good job and going places,
but I am sure you might have also faced a lot of difficulties in your journey
so far. Would you like to take us through some of those times?
KT: Traveling from Kohima to other places is not the easiest trip to plan and
work out for a team of 5 to 6. It gets hard to fix dates and schedule travel if
we don’t get invites way in advance. That’s only one of the few hitches.
Everything else has been going pretty smoothly. We are lucky to have wonderful
audiences everywhere and people who sincerely appreciate our art. The only
irritating thing is when scheduled and confirmed gigs get cancelled or
postponed; it totally makes everything else crazily inconvenient and expensive.
Also people who bargain for our performance fees and pay late. Ughh!!!
 |
| Kuvelii Tetseo (Source www.tetseosisters.com) |
Z:
Oh!!! That must have been really hard and frustrating; my readers and I wish you sisters all
the best for the future.
KT:
Thank you very much. We need all the support to spread the message of
respect, acceptance and friendship through Music and showcase our culture in an
appealing and attractive way.
Z:
And what moment has been the best in your journey?
KT:
Meeting wonderful and talented people, getting to experience new things,
costumes, travelling to new places, shopping, eating out, performing…I love it
all.
Z:
Last I spoke with Mercy, she told me about these intense cat-fights, what
are reasons behind these fights? *Smiles*
KT:
It’s usually typical girly stuff like missing make-up, shoes, clothes, bags
etc. Never serious, but short and over quickly. Peace prevails with a bowl of
noodles and Rajah Mircha or Momos.
Z:
Hahaha...That's more like it. Well, it’s been such a wonderful evening catching up with you, I wish we had more
time and I could end up chatting with you 24 hrs in one stretch. *Laughs*
KT:
This was fun. Thank you for having me over.
Z:
Thank you again and I hope someday you and sisters will drop by and perform one or two “Li” for us. A very good evening to you and “Hiyohey”.
KT:
That would be awesome. Thanks again and Hiyohey!
Sharing "Hiyo! Hiyo!" by Tetseo Sisters. Enjoy the music... :)
Last Word: It was Kuvelii’s
birthday yesterday, July 11th, and we are so sorry that we somehow
missed it. Anyway, we wish you a very Happy Belated Happy Birthday. May blessings
be upon like a downpour.
