When Mizos are happy, they sing and when they are sad, well, they sing. Now, a music group all the way from Myanmar, the latest hit in Mizoram, says music could dissolve boundaries.
T-Melody, the Mizo rock band from Myanmar is currently performing to 'mentally reunite' the Mizos.
Mizos living on either side (Mizoram-Myanmar) of the international boundary belong to the same ethnic group but were separated during the drawing of political maps.
"Political re-unification may be a distant dream. But music can forge a bond by erasing physical barriers. That will be our message," Thanthawnga, lead guitarist and frontman of T-Melody, told UNI.
"This concept would definitely strengthen unity amongst Mizos of different lands," he said. "The success also proved that there is no discrimination between Myanmar's Mizos and India's Mizos, when it comes to music."
The five-member band is currently engaged in performing across the state. Everybody expects an electrifying performance as the band's music is already a hit with music lovers who remain glued to TV sets when local channels air the albums.
The team comprises Zaithanmawia (vocal), Lalnunsanga (guitar and vocal), Thanthawnga (guitar), Lalnunhima (bass) and Kawllianthanga (drums).
Another important message of the band is - you don't need drugs to rock.
"Our main objective is to rid the world of drugs and alcohol," Thanthawnga said. The band members, all professional musicians, rue that had they been in a more developed country like India, they would have gained monetarily.
Mizos from Myanmar have played a significant role in the growth of the music industry in Mizoram.
In the late seventies and early eighties, much before Western music made a foray into the music industry here, Vulmawi, a Mizo rock group from erstwhile Burma took Mizoram's music industry by storm. It was followed by the likes of Zodi, Zorock and dozens of guitarists who made valuable contributions to modern Mizo music.
The band is being sponsored by a group of music lovers under the banner of Zo Entertainment. The organisers said they would have liked to organise an open-air concert, but constraints like inadequate equipment and inclement weather are some stumbling blocks.
After the houseful performace, T-Melody left the capital city to perform in Lunglei district for another two nights.
The Aizawl shows had been organised in aid of the Samaritan's Riangvaite Run, a charity home.
