Folk music, with its timeless ability to tell stories of people and places, emerged as a unifying thread at the ongoing 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.
This year, under the British Council’s Wales in India 2024 initiative, Welsh musicians Gareth Bonello and Mari Mathias, along with Naga artist Seyievinuo Chüzho, brought together their unique traditions to highlight the unifying power of music on the Hornbill Festival stage.
In an interview with Eastern Mirror, conducted via email, the three artists highlighted the power of folk traditions to transcend geographical, cultural, and linguistic barriers.
Mari Mathias said that the essence of folk music lies in its deep-rooted connection to culture, tradition, and storytelling—elements that are often overshadowed in other musical styles.
“One of the defining characteristics of folk music is its ability to reflect the historical and social contexts from which it emerges. It often incorporates elements that resonate with the listener’s own experiences, making it accessible and relatable,” she said.
Mathias went on to say that the idea that songs and stories have been passed down through generations encourages her to connect with her own roots and explore themes that resonate with contemporary audiences while honouring traditional narratives. “It inspires me to incorporate elements of improvisation and personal interpretation into my performances, reflecting the dynamic nature of folk music as it evolves over time.”
Further, the British Council has emphasised the significance of festivals like the Hornbill Festival, in empowering artists and fostering connections that celebrate cultural diversity and creativity, she added.
Known for his deep engagement with Welsh folk music, Gareth Bonello reflected on how traditional music serves as a connection to heritage while resonating universally.
“When a Khasi musician shares a song about the landscape of Meghalaya I can respond with a folk song about the landscape of Wales, and we are both enriched with a deeper understanding of each other’s culture as a result”, stated the musician who goes by the stage name The Gentle Good.
Folk music from anywhere in the world is the same as Welsh folk songs, “the same stories told from different perspectives, and it is this that makes folk music endlessly fascinating to me,” he added.
The British Council’s Wales in India 2024 initiative has given the artists an opportunity to forge new collaborations, make new friends and catch up with old ones, said Bonello who first came to Nagaland with the British Council Folk Nations project in 2013.
For Naga artist Seyievinuo Chüzho, folk music serves as a vital link to cultural identity and heritage. Its authenticity and rawness reflect the traditions, stories, and heritage of a particular region or community, making it a true reflection of cultural identity, she said.
She explained that as a folk artist, the passion and history embedded in this genre of music serves as a constant source of motivation to preserve and share her roots and identity.
Beyond preservation, the musicians also spoke of the need for continued cultural exchange to ensure folk traditions thrive.
“The oral tradition is like a language that is unique to each culture, and it can teach us so much, not only about our past but the present and future as well,” Bonello stated.
While appreciating all musical genres, he highlighted how the diversity of regional folk music feeds the creation of new music, citing the popularity of Cumbia rhythms, a fusion of indigenous American, Spanish, and African influences, in global hits like ‘Despacito’ by Luis Fonzi, as an example.
Further, “I think we should cherish and celebrate our diverse heritage the world over and resist the urge to homogenise or pronounce minority cultures or languages unimportant or irrelevant,” he said.
Chüzho noted that Naga folk songs can undoubtedly resonate with the Indian folk music scene as both genres share common themes of culture, tradition, and heritage.
“The emotional depth, rich storytelling, and cultural authenticity present in Naga folk music can strike a chord with audiences across different regions and backgrounds, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers to evoke a sense of shared human experience,” she said.
Chüzho expressed heartfelt hope that her music would resonate deeply, fostering cultural appreciation, connection, and inspiration. “My ultimate wish is for our music to transcend borders and language barriers, uniting hearts through the universal language of melody and storytelling,” she added.
