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Kezhazer Angami with Methaneilie Jütakhrie (R) at the Ozone Café, Kohima, on Saturday evening.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 13 (EMN): Global Shapers Kohima Hub organised its 2nd Cafe Conversations series ‘Story Nights: Reviving our age-old oral tradition,’ with a noted Naga legendary singer Methaneilie Jütakhrie at Ozone Cafe Kohima on Saturday evening. Kezhazer Angami, social activist, was the translator of the programme.
The 62 year old Methaneilie Jütakhrie has composed 187 songs and also recorded 250 songs composed by others. The singer mentioned that his biggest challenge was his lack of education as a singer; he had studied only upto Class VI.
Among the most popular songs of Methaneilie, ‘Nagaland City Kuribole’ still continues to be one of the favorite for Nagas. He wrote this song at a time when Nagaland was undergoing a political turmoil where its elected members were continuously switching their loyalties from one party to another. To compose the song, he stayed in Doyang River for 13 days.
On his thoughts about the Naga singers, he said there are a lot of opportunities but said the control over behaviour and temptation is at large. During his days, there were no supports from the government but now they provided better facilities for the singers. He also said today there are a lot of encouragements from the society
Inspired by Jim Reeves, Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi, he took his decision to become a singer adding he get inspiration in the night as he look upon the stars and the moon.
He also had one regrets in life. He recalled that during his prime time, he was offered a job to sing for the Bollywood industry which rejected. He mused of having a better life if he were to join the industry.
Advising young people, he urged them to put their hearts and souls in whatever they are pursuing, avoid bad habits, pride and listen to the elder’s advice.
During his prime time, he was able to sing at least 40 songs in a row. However, with the passage of time he is losing the vigour. “I still sing for the love of music,” said Methaneilie.
Methaneilie also mentioned that he is planning to bring out the 26 volume of his album this year dedicating to his friend, the bands and the crew he has worked with during his music career.
The Global Shapers is an initiative of the World Economic Forum. The Global Shapers Kohima Hub currently comprises of 10 Global Shapers from diverse sectors, who have already worked on different social causes in their personal careers, contributing to serving society at large, ready to deeply engage in the community, reinforcing the World Economic Forum’s mission and objectives and supporting fellow shapers in their individual and professional development.