‘I think Naga youth need a role model, I think they have the potential, they just need someone to show the way’Just a few days into his debut album ‘Beautiful’ and a thousand copies have already been sold. It’s not so much the name in itself to have his music recorded but the fact that Alo Wanth is driven to romanticise Gospel songs.
“Being a believer, I don’t think we shouldn’t be romantic” he says and pronounces that “I don’t want to be levelled as churchy” even as he talks about “Beautiful” defying the typical Christian Music. He believes that “Christian music necessarily doesn’t have to use Jesus or Halleluyah” while he explains that his album has songs, ‘love songs” as he puts it ‘talking about human relationships, about the reality of life’ mainly because he wants his listeners to feel that they are buying something they can relate to.
His songs like “December June” talks about the beauty of a lover, a husband, the human relation that is so vital in our lives or the track “Beautiful Day” which calls for starting a day in the right way. He even expresses that dating, is no way wrong if you’re doing it God’s way.
His official entrance into the Music world marks a beginning of a beautiful journey just as the title of his maiden album signifies and although some may still recognize him as a fresh face, he has been a Musician most of his life. He also confesses that “I just want to do music till I die”.
To enlighten his fans a little on his background, he insists that he started on a very humble beginning. Coming from Sishunu Village under Kandinu, Dimapur is however his hometown and he’s had his early education from Government High School, Purana Bazaar.
Then his shift to the Assembly of God, Calcutta, for his Bachelor of Theology has in a way perhaps opened up a new door for him. The instant recognition he gained at the reputed institution was evident from the way he led thousands to worship in songs. He is also the first Naga to have given the privilege to lead the Praise and Worship at the AG Church, Calcutta, which I’m sure many people would agree to labelling as one of the Best Churches in India.
He recalls his experience there as being taught firstly how to understand the concept of worship. “It’s not only about the music or voice but worship in its true sense”, he expresses. “Worship is worship” he adds.
Meanwhile, he attended Christ for the Nation Institute at Texas for a 9 months course on “Worship and Technical Arts”. Certainly worthy of being associated with it, he says that it gave him “a deep understanding of music, song writing, how to orchestrate your song, how you really sing your song, how to really get into the music and lyrics, and how to sing it with passion.”
That’s also where the marking difference between Naga Musicians and those elsewhere. He thinks people here are not so serious with music. In comparison, he says “out there if they (musicians) are good, they know they can survive on it”.
But, of course, he doesn’t deny that there is tremendous talent in our Naga youth. Only thing he feels lacking is that “we need a stronger foundation”. “I think Naga youth need a role model, I think they have the potential, they just need someone to show the way” he feels.
Music, although popular in the State, he acknowledges it as a ‘hardest task to be a musician’. Yet, he firmly believes that the real rewards would result from those who are not lazy but dedicated and putting in one’s heart, soul and passion into it. For these are traits, he believes makes a person somebody. He also puts across that “we should stop living in a fantasy world”. He pronounces that “there’s always a reward for those who work”.
Here’s also one thing he wants to add…“Don’t let your circumstances and situations determine the dream that you have in your heart. God has given that dream, allow Him to use it and there’s nothing impossible. Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t give up.” Apart from music, fighting human trafficking is a cause close to his heart, more so because there are testimonies he has heard himself first hand. He feels that it is very important to take initiative in this area. It may be noted here that he did a course in “Justice Study” from Youth with a Ministry, Hawaii, which has also enlightened him more about this social cause.
Back to his musical journey, he has performed in Calcutta, Deep Eldum, Community Church, Dallas, Cornerstone Assembly of God Church in Houston, South East Texas Youth Conference, Houston, Bihar, Patna besides schools in Nagaland and almost all the churches in the state.
A little before and since his debut album hit the stands, he has made his presence known at Jumping Beans, Dream Cafe, Sinai Café, and a little while from now, it will be at Maple Drive and Union Baptist Church. His upcoming shows include live performances in Kolkatta and Mumbai. Also a Special day for him, come October 3, 2009 Dimapur will witness his first concert since “Beautiful” came alive and it’s also a beautiful coincidence that this promising Musician will turn 28 that day.
“Being a believer, I don’t think we shouldn’t be romantic” he says and pronounces that “I don’t want to be levelled as churchy” even as he talks about “Beautiful” defying the typical Christian Music. He believes that “Christian music necessarily doesn’t have to use Jesus or Halleluyah” while he explains that his album has songs, ‘love songs” as he puts it ‘talking about human relationships, about the reality of life’ mainly because he wants his listeners to feel that they are buying something they can relate to.
His songs like “December June” talks about the beauty of a lover, a husband, the human relation that is so vital in our lives or the track “Beautiful Day” which calls for starting a day in the right way. He even expresses that dating, is no way wrong if you’re doing it God’s way.
His official entrance into the Music world marks a beginning of a beautiful journey just as the title of his maiden album signifies and although some may still recognize him as a fresh face, he has been a Musician most of his life. He also confesses that “I just want to do music till I die”.
To enlighten his fans a little on his background, he insists that he started on a very humble beginning. Coming from Sishunu Village under Kandinu, Dimapur is however his hometown and he’s had his early education from Government High School, Purana Bazaar.
Then his shift to the Assembly of God, Calcutta, for his Bachelor of Theology has in a way perhaps opened up a new door for him. The instant recognition he gained at the reputed institution was evident from the way he led thousands to worship in songs. He is also the first Naga to have given the privilege to lead the Praise and Worship at the AG Church, Calcutta, which I’m sure many people would agree to labelling as one of the Best Churches in India.
He recalls his experience there as being taught firstly how to understand the concept of worship. “It’s not only about the music or voice but worship in its true sense”, he expresses. “Worship is worship” he adds.
Meanwhile, he attended Christ for the Nation Institute at Texas for a 9 months course on “Worship and Technical Arts”. Certainly worthy of being associated with it, he says that it gave him “a deep understanding of music, song writing, how to orchestrate your song, how you really sing your song, how to really get into the music and lyrics, and how to sing it with passion.”
That’s also where the marking difference between Naga Musicians and those elsewhere. He thinks people here are not so serious with music. In comparison, he says “out there if they (musicians) are good, they know they can survive on it”.
But, of course, he doesn’t deny that there is tremendous talent in our Naga youth. Only thing he feels lacking is that “we need a stronger foundation”. “I think Naga youth need a role model, I think they have the potential, they just need someone to show the way” he feels.
Music, although popular in the State, he acknowledges it as a ‘hardest task to be a musician’. Yet, he firmly believes that the real rewards would result from those who are not lazy but dedicated and putting in one’s heart, soul and passion into it. For these are traits, he believes makes a person somebody. He also puts across that “we should stop living in a fantasy world”. He pronounces that “there’s always a reward for those who work”.
Here’s also one thing he wants to add…“Don’t let your circumstances and situations determine the dream that you have in your heart. God has given that dream, allow Him to use it and there’s nothing impossible. Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t give up.” Apart from music, fighting human trafficking is a cause close to his heart, more so because there are testimonies he has heard himself first hand. He feels that it is very important to take initiative in this area. It may be noted here that he did a course in “Justice Study” from Youth with a Ministry, Hawaii, which has also enlightened him more about this social cause.
Back to his musical journey, he has performed in Calcutta, Deep Eldum, Community Church, Dallas, Cornerstone Assembly of God Church in Houston, South East Texas Youth Conference, Houston, Bihar, Patna besides schools in Nagaland and almost all the churches in the state.
A little before and since his debut album hit the stands, he has made his presence known at Jumping Beans, Dream Cafe, Sinai Café, and a little while from now, it will be at Maple Drive and Union Baptist Church. His upcoming shows include live performances in Kolkatta and Mumbai. Also a Special day for him, come October 3, 2009 Dimapur will witness his first concert since “Beautiful” came alive and it’s also a beautiful coincidence that this promising Musician will turn 28 that day.
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