Lack of commitment holding back Naga people from excelling–D
Lack of commitment holding back Naga people from excelling–Dr. Sothu
Dr. Sothu shared his observations from working with Naga artistes at TaFMA. He noted the abundance of singers in Nagaland but lamented that only a small fraction achieves significant success in the world of entertainment
Dr. Hovithal Sothu speaking at the inaugural session at
Immanuel College in Dimapur on Wednesday. (EM Images)
DIMAPUR — Naga
society has no dearth of talent, but there is a lack of commitment that is
holding the people back from excelling, said Dr. Hovithal Sothu, project
director of Taskforce for Music and Arts (TaFMA).
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day event
titled ‘The Myriad Fest, Vol. 3.0’ at Immanuel College, Dr. Sothu shared his
observations from working with Naga artistes at TaFMA. He noted the abundance
of singers in Nagaland but lamented that only a small fraction achieves
significant success in the world of entertainment.
He said that this lack of widespread success is not limited
to singing but extends to other art forms and field of work as well. He has
attributed this disparity to a lack of commitment and consistency.
“While the taskforce tried to groom artistes and push them
up, something seems to be missing in our Naga society. And that is, I think,
more to do with the lack of commitment to do what you want to do,” he
maintained.
He stressed that mere talent is insufficient and insisted
that consistent hard work and dedication are essential in order to master their
craft, whatever it may be.
Using his own experience as a choir member as an analogy, he
emphasised how repeated rehearsals are necessary before any public performance.
“Night after night, after we finish our office work, we go
together and then our choir, 20 of us, gather and keep singing over and over
again. Only after we are able to master that one, we go to perform,” he said.
He urged students to develop a strong work ethic and go
beyond the basic academic curriculum.
“Besides that degree, it will have to be your inside growth.
Your heart and your dedication, your dreams and your visions that will take you
forward and not your the degree that you are going to get after you finish your
studies here in the college,” he said.
Sothu also emphasised the importance of setting a clear aim
in life saying, “Only then you can move forward. If you are like a rudderless
ship, you will end nowhere.”
He also highlighted the vast opportunities in the
entertainment industry, not just for performers but also for those working
behind the scenes in logistics, sound engineering and stage management.
While there is “cutthroat competition” in the industry,
there’s a lot of money in the entertainment world, but it demands hard work and
sacrifice, he said.
“If you are interested and if you have the talent to do,
join the bandwagon as long as you are ready to work hard, as long as you are
ready to sacrifice,” he said while reminding the students that in this
industry, “You are only as good as your next performance.”
He encouraged the students to “dream big and do big things,”
emphasising that with dedication and hard work, they can achieve significant
success in any field they choose. He further urged them to become professionals
in their chosen pursuits and “let the world see you, recognise you, honour you
for being the best in whatever you do.”
Earlier during the programme, principal of Immanuel College,
Dr. Th. Sharatchandra Singh, welcomed the gathering including representatives
from various colleges in and around Dimapur.
Two students namely Tokevi Yepthomi and Sipong Lemla were
also felicitated during the inaugural programme for their outstanding
performance in various fields.
Other highlights of the day included art competitions,
mobile gaming competitions, spelling bee and Mr and Miss Myriad pageants.
Events such as poetry slam, cosplay and fitness
competitions, among others, are scheduled for day-two of the fest.
