In this society, where history has been kept through spoken rather than written words, music has been one essential tool of keeping memories alive—to bring together communities that had once been driven apart.
- Joe Hmachhuana
In a wide a rank of violence and injustice with incomplete explanations yet many theories in parts of the world, if there is one art form that is the precursor of change then it has to be music… a rehearsal of change, a cultural expression of values and beliefs that may still face resistance in our social lives today...existing as dreams waiting to become a reality tomorrow. I just got back from a premier of Songs of Guru Rewben Mashangva, a film produced and directed by Oinam Doren on the musical journey of the folk musician hailing from Ukhrul district of Manipur. It was followed by discussion on masculinities of Folk Music highlighting the works of Rewben and alike.
Rewben is a Folk Singer, musician, composer and researcher and guide for the conservation and evolvement of tribal folk music with 15 years of practice in the field. Rewben is the foremost advocate of Hao music with rich and abundant in depth experience in the field. He plays the Tingtelia (Pena), a violin type instrument which took him 7 years to alter to suit his music, as well as the modern Acoustic guitar and harmonica. Each time he plays in and around his hometown, his son Saka Mashangva accompanies him as percussion player.
I have had a warm privilege to share a stage with him when my band called 'Them Clones' played in Pune several years back. During that time Rewben along with his son performed with Raghu Dixit.
I respect Rewben not only for the music that he has produced, I respect him for his beliefs and effort to prove the world that music alone can fight injustice and open world of possibilities.
*Lage Raho...*
