Theithei Unplugged: When a Song is more than just a ‘Song’

The music lovers in Ukhrul were in for a treat at Theithei Unplugged, a musical evening with one of the renowned musicians in town- Theithei Luithui hosted at Gracias Restaurant in Jorcheng, Phangrei. The evening also featured the young band – Not Funny Band, the winner of Ringui’s Got Talent 2020.

An evening put together by four friends (Easternlight Zimik, Sorinthan Haorei, Ngayeimi Huishunao, Ningzan Varu), Theithei Unplugged was aimed to celebrate the authentic music of Theithei Luithui, to understand the inspiration behind her songs. Easternlight Zimik, the mastermind behind the evening, commented on how this event was a way of documenting our culture and tradition given that Theithei draws her inspiration from our way of life. Easternlight stressed how her songs are more than just ‘songs’ as she sings of identity, culture and tradition, and that her songs are a resource in itself.

Theithei opened the evening with the song ‘Atam akhali’, a song composed by Lucas Kaping and first performed by her at Hunphun Luira. The song was about lover nit-picking his past lover. The drawing card of the evening was how each performance was preceded by an introduction to the song including the inspiration and the background of the particular song. The Not Funny Band also got the crowd grooving by performing their upcoming original song – Ocean, among other performances.

In the interactive session, Theithei stressed how a lack of marketing opportunities and/or marketing skill among the artist community, and lack of a platform for performance are among the biggest setbacks that Tangkhul artists face. Speaking about her biggest inspiration, she attributes it to her roots and nature. Coming from a farming community, she draws her inspiration from it.

Theithei Unplugged is a part of the project undertaken by the group to document the life of Theithei, and also document our culture and tradition through her songs. The video production is a collaboration with Sopkai Zimik and his team.

Photo: Sopkai Zimik