She is only in her 30s but her music is ancient. Inspired by
nature and wildlife, she composes tunes along with her band of gifted folk
artistes from her home state Meghalaya, many of whom are in their 50s and 60s.
Meet Rida Gatphoh, founder, songwriter and lead singer of
'The Musical Folks', who tries to reach out to her people by studying and
documenting their work while writing and composing songs.
“Even though most youngsters in my state are into high
voltage music, like rock, pop hip-hop and reggae, I have always preferred
traditional music. It’s been an intrinsic part of my life ever since I was a
little girl, as my mother, Preciously, is a folk singer.
“I grew up listening to folk instruments, poetry and song
and started singing early in local bands. This continued even when I went to
Mumbai to pursue a degree in fashion designing,” shares Gatphoh.
After she finished her studies, she did stick on for a few
years in the Maximum City designing clothes, but as she says, “I was not happy.
I longed to get back to my original passion, music.” And she did. Bag and
baggage she went back to Shillong.
But instead of staying put there Gatphoh embarked on a journey
of the tranquil and lush Meghalaya countryside. “I travelled across different
villages in a bid to better understand my roots and connect with nature.
“I soaked in the sounds of birds and other wild animals, and
heard countless folk tales and poems. All these inputs served as inspiration
and I began composing and writing songs,” she recalls.
Along the way, Gatphoh made many friends, many of whom are now a part of the
band, The Musical Folks, which she put together in 2010.
Her motley crew of musicians includes Bah Rojet Buhphang, a
recipient of the Ustad Bismallah Khan Yuva Pushkar in 2007 for his contribution
to traditional music of Meghalaya; Bah S. Malngiang, co-founder of Sieng Riti
Institute for folk music in Wahkhen, East Khasi Hills; Peter Marbaniang, a
ceramic artist and a duitara and guitar player; composer and guitarist Amarnath
Hazarika; Sean Menzies Nongrum, who plays bom and brass; bamboo flautist
Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta; Risingbor Kurkalang, who plays the duitara
maryngoh; and Shaun Nonghuloo Morehead, the drummer and Ksing player.
The crew combines their creative energies and talent to put
up an authentic Khasi show, complete with a Pyrta Shnong, or traditional
announcer, who kicks off the proceedings that include a Phawar Mei Mariang
(fable for mother nature), Kshaid Nohsngithiang (song), U Sier Lapaing (a
musical story-telling session) U PhiangJyrngam (poetry recitation), Ka
Sohlyngem (ballad), Leitphaishaiing (children’s song), Shad (Khasi dance) and
Kyntanglawai (farewell poem) – all of which are set to the tune of traditional
instruments.
Gatphoh feels fortunate to have found so many traditional
music practitioners for her group although convincing them to join her in her
efforts to revive the forgotten styles was not easy. Usually, village music
groups are quite informal and non commercial, which was how they were all used
to playing. Moreover, many of them are old and hail from remote
locations so getting them to open up to the idea of transforming their approach
took time. “Some of my team members are around 60 years old. It took some time
for them to wrap their heads around the concept of a formal band that would
travel and showcase our local fare to the outside world,” she reveals.
According to Gatphoh, The Musical Folks is always searching
for “the ideal way to create a meaningful experience for the new listener while
retaining a high degree of artistic integrity”. She says, “The stories we share
are open-ended making our interaction spontaneous and giving us an infinite
range of expression. They are an intimate exploration designed to reveal the
natural communication of music and art and highlight a specific form of nature
as a subject of celebration and inquiry.”
The artiste’s works are weaved around nature and the
environment. “I strongly believe that mankind must take its cue from nature.
Through our music, we are attempting to encourage people to think of the world
in which we live today and see how our collective actions are affecting planet
earth.”
She feels that everyone must take time out from their
extremely busy schedules to connect with nature. “Have you ever heard the sound
of frogs? Noticed that every bird has its own distinct chirp? If you observe
intently, there are many different sounds and tunes in nature. And they all
vary from place to place and depending upon the time of day. Music is there and
will always be there in all things natural,” she adds, thoughtfully.
Folk music truly captures the essence of the bond between
man and nature and while many may call this style raw and lacking in
sophistication, Gatphoh argues that there is “purity, originality and beauty in
its complex notes”.
She elaborates, “What we present through our shows is just
the tip of the iceberg. Our repertoire of indigenous musical practices is vast.
There are many aspects that simply cannot be performed on stage and we haven’t
tried to do that.”
Unlike many of her peers, Gatphoh has delved into the realm
of history to spark a revival. “In a sense, I am going backwards,” she laughs,
“I insist on bringing the old and forgotten musical trends back into vogue.
Sadly, today’s generation is hung up on newer, more western styles, which is
not bad but one does need to preserve one’s past as well,” she days.
Gatphoh admits that there are no huge crowds at her shows,
rather a loyal group of followers. But that in no way deters her from pursuing
her goal. On their part, however, the band and she make a conscious effort to
remain relevant. “Though we do not have much monetary support,” she says, “our
works have become popular through word of mouth, and we have performed in
several cities in India. I have understood the fact that we don’t belong to the
commercial world. The team’s instruments are handmade, our music is not
digitised or polished, which is a statement in itself.”
Ultimately, for Gatphoh, her music is very personal; “it’s a
feeling, a journey and a connection with my audiences and, of course, with
nature”. Here’s her ode to Mother Nature:
“Let’s have a meaningful interaction,
And reason out with balance
Have a natural healing
Healing for the human, non human
Healing for the soul
The ocean and the sky
The mountains and the valleys…"
Women's Feature Service
October 2014
