Tetseo sisters, singing nightingales of Nagaland

Kohima, Feb 15 (ANI): Youth in northeast are second to none in terms of talent. Over the years the region has produced several artrists, sportsmen, musicians and theatre artists who have carved out a niche for themselves, the Tetseo sisters from Kohima, Nagaland are one of them.

The sisters, who specialise in folk music aim to keep it alive among the youth.

They usually sing songs known as "Li", a Chakhesang Naga dialect, that tell about the stories of Naga people, their joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations.

The sisters recently released their first official album "Li: Chapter One.... The Beginning" during the 2011 Hornbill festival.

They have performed in different places across the country. They now aim to make their mark at the international level.

"Our big wish is to be recognized on the global scene; because music is not just a single industry it is connected with fashion, films, documentaries and others. So we aim to become someone who are recognized and people can associate Nagaland with us," said the sisters.

During their performance the Tetseo sisters use age-old Naga string instrument known as "Tati or Heka Libuh".

The sisters started practicing music in their school days and have not looked back since then.

They completed their education from New Delhi and have worked in different organizations but now are focused on promoting Naga folk music.

They also want to make a documentary film on Folk music of the Northeast.

Initially the Tetseo sisters had four members, but now there are there three - Mercy, Kuvelu and Alunes.

"There is a lot of potential and it's only a matter of time where we can organized it into a commercially successful venture and I think Nagas are doing real good in whatever they put their hearts So there is lots of potential," said Mercy Tetseo.

Over the years several bands and solo musicians have come up in Nagaland. They are doing well at the state and the national level. (ANI)