They have scaled
heights as the new Cultural Ambassadors as they are popularly known as and have
gone places taking their “Li”, which, they call “the people’s music”.
The Tetseo
Sisters comprising of four gifted sisters including Mercy, Azi , Kuvelü and Alüne have carved a niche for themselves
in the Music industry even as they strive to promote the unique “Chokri Li”
literally meaning “Folksong in the Chokri dialect of the Chakhesang Naga
tribe”, often accompanied by the indigenous Naga one stringed instrument called
the “Tati/Heka Libuh”.
In their words,
“none of us Nagas really know how the tradition of folk-singing began except
that it has always been an integral part of Naga life. Li have colourful history. They tell us about
how life was, what were the important stuff for our people for example, the
virtues of women, discipline, family, courage, or oral records of great
battles, acts of bravery and simple descriptions of daily life. People found a
way to be happy about living in spite of the daily hassles and in song, they
made light of their problems. People could speak of their heart’s desires in
Li, woo their beloved, impress the fair damsels, ask for pardon or apologize in
the clever wordings of Li, make peace and reveal secrets through Li.”
Hence, they
insist “Li is integral to Naga Life and we are all rediscovering its
specialness. It is essentially the biography of our people and our history.”
And even as they
started off with this exotic venture, it has always been their goal to keep the
tribal Naga tradition of folk singing alive and in their songs, they tell the
stories of our people and express their joys and sorrows, hopes and
aspirations.
Essentially
evoking the sound of the old tradition in their bit to preserve the rich
cultural heritage, they express that “some
of the songs we sing can transport you to battlefields of yore where you rub
shoulders with deadly head hunters, feel their raw courage and brutal angst or
mourn with star crossed lovers in their darkest desolation. That’s the kind of
feelings the power of Li can evoke.”
It is obvious
that they are deeply engrossed in what they do, even as they go on to explain
that the “Chokri Li is beautiful in melody and harmony, with mind-boggling
variety”. Getting further into the soul of music, which has truly enchanted
them to carry “folksongs” forward, the Sisters feel that the very popular ones
have endured and been handed down to us by oral tradition.
“It is
participatory—you don't have to be a great musician to be a folk singer. They
sang for love of it and as a way of life and not as a performance of sort
because our folk music is the traditional and typically anonymous music that is
an expression of the life of the people in a community.”
“People play and
sing together rather than watch others perform. And so, it essentially
encourages a sense of community. But now, the practice is almost forgotten. So
it has become exotic”, is what they have to say.
They also
believe that most Naga tribes have beautiful music and dances, but ruefully
state that unfortunately, there are no written records or documentation of the
lyrics while adding that “No musical records officially exist.” Expressing that
even the songs they sing are all passed on from word of mouth, they however
believe that Li is one of a kind.
“It is unique
and a tad challenging for those who are not born into it, but always pleasing
to the ears and we are trying to make it more visual and visible. It is lively
and can always hold people's attention and leaves a lasting impression. The
lyrics are so original and beautiful but unfortunately the essence gets lost in
translation. No other language can quite capture the beauty of Li but the
melody can somehow convey the meaning of the song and hence people can relate
to it.” That’s the Chokri Li for the Tetseo Sisters.
Yet, further
beyond, their music has been well received across the country and abroad. Even
as they insist that “Li is something from the past but it is the past, which
defines what we are in the present so in so much as Li is a part of us today,
it will be a pattern in the bigger picture that will be tomorrow”, it is no
wonder then that they have staged performances in countless events some of
which include Hornbill Festival 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010; special performance
at Hornbill Festival during Actress Manisha Koirala’s Visit in 2003, Queen
Baton’s Rally for the Commonwealth Games, 2010 at Touphema, Nagaland 2010, Platinum
Jubilee Celebrations at Chinjaroi, Manipur 2010, The Chief Minister’s Dinner
for the Vice President of India, during his maiden visit to Kohima, Nagaland,
at World Bamboo Day celebrations, 2010, Angami Sekrenyi Festival, Heritage
Village, Touphema 2010, Northeast Youth Festival, Kohima, Nagaland 2010, Handshake
Concert 2009, Mumbai and 2010, New Delhi, Naga Idol Finalists Concert, Wokha
2009, State Road shows of Phek District, 2010 and Wokha, 2009 , Hornbill Motor
Rally Finale, 2009, Union Minister Agatha Sangma’s visit at The Heritage, Old
DC’s Bungalow 2009, Governor of Nagaland, Shri Nikhil Kumar’s Welcome Banquet
2009, Kohima, Amnesty Festival, Indian Islamic Centre, New Delhi 2009, Northeast
Trade Opportunities Meet, 2007 Bangkok, Thailand, Nagaland Music Festival,
India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, 2008, Korean Spring
Festival, SAI Center, New Delhi, 2007, Nagaland Festival, Dilli Haat, New
Delhi, 2007 & 2008, ITFT graduation day, 2007, Chandigarh, Naga Students
Union Delhi Annual meets, 2001, 03, 06,08 and 2010, Northern Angami Students
Union Jubilee Concert, 2009 sharing the stage with Nise Meruno, Zowe Madrigal
and Luke Kenny, Photo Exhibition on Naga lives by Naga People’s Movement for
Human Rights at the Indian Habitat Center, New Delhi 2007, Young Leaders
Connect, October 2011, Sachin Pilot’s Visit, The Heritage, 2011, CAG of India’s
Visit, The Heritage, 2011, Artists of India workshop cum Exhibition, The
Heritage, 2011, Young Indians & CII meet, November 2011, Eclectic Model
Hunt, Guwahati November 2011, Hornbill 2011,
@Chakhesang Courtyard for NDTV’s Highway on my plate and Travel Trendz Channel,
and several others besides being the Instructor and Choreographer of Naga Folk
song and dance routine to IAS trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National
Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie in 2008 and having recorded
programmes for DDK Kohima, DDK Guwahati and DDK Delhi, Recording sessions and
broadcasts on AIR Kohima, Guwahati and Ahmedabad respectively.
Mention must be
made here that they learnt Li from their parents at a very young age. It would
be unfair not to mention their brother, Mhaseve, who has been their support of
sorts. One must also add that it has well been learnt for they have been
creating waves with this unique form of folk fusion. Their latest venture
includes the launch of their debut album “Li Chapter One” as we all know it.
Their near
future plans include a documentary film on Folk music of the NE by Chennai
based filmmakers, Anushka Meenakshi and Iswar Srikumar of ‘somethingwehavealwayswantedtodo.com’
and a promo tour which will hopefully commence sometime in January 2012 where
they also hope to interact with more folk musicians, music enthusiasts and
share more Li.
Their motto
being “Share Li…pass it across, not only down”, the Tetseo Sisters profess that
“we are devoted to sharing our rich cultural heritage on a global platform and
have been doing our best so far we would like to think.”
The
Tetseo Sisters Profile:
Mercy
Tetseo
is a fashion and photography enthusiast, avid foodie and is trying to find the
writer in her. She has been involved in modeling, emceeing and is an
accomplished singer. She has a Masters in Psychology from Delhi University’s IP
College and has explored the corporate world but is currently taking a break
from work to concentrate on music or Li project. She enjoys travelling,
writing, watching movies, shopping and cooking.
She loves eating momos with fiery Naga King chilly chutney, tulips and
shoes but dislikes firecrackers and being disturbed while taking her nap.
Azi
Tetseo
is a former beauty queen, model, singer and fashion choreographer when not
singing with her sisters. After her Masters in Political Science from Delhi
University, she enjoyed a stint with the corporate world and is now a business
entrepreneur with her husband Abe Nienu in Nagaland’s Kohima. She loves dancing
in the rain, listening to music and going for long drives. She dislikes getting
sick, long bus-rides, exams and bad hair days.
Kuvelü
Tetseo
recently graduated from DU’s Lady Shri Ram College and is pursuing her Masters
in Nagaland. Having had an active and successful association with the LSR
Western Music Society, she is working to carve out a permanent slot for the
folk act “Tetseo Sisters” in the global Music scene as their frontman. She shares
an interest in photography and writing with her sister Mercy and together, they
have been maintaining their blog and fan page on Facebook. She loves sketching
and making scrapbooks, besides the music. Her new year’s resolution includes
learning the guitar and violin. She loves the color white, fish dishes and
kittens but can do without secondhand smoke and parties.
Alüne
Tetseo
is the youngest of the Sisters. She has just completed her 10+2 and working on
becoming a doctor. She enjoys photography, painting and walking the ramp from
time to time. Growing up with three older singing sisters gave her the singing
bug and she loves singing and fiddling with the violin and the piano but she
can curl up on a comfy sofa with a book or watch TV the whole day. She is a
smooth debater and has won many state and national level competitions. Alüne
doesn’t care for vegetables but is crazy about anything purple, chocolates and
chips. She is also a big fan of Japanese Manga and animation movies.
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