DȂRSINGER AND ITS IMPACT

            Prior to the birth of DȂRSINGER – A Competition for Darlong Best Singer, the widely known activity was ‘a Village-wise Football Competition for Men’. The genesis of the (football) competition was hosted by Saibual Village. It was a history in creation for the people of Darlong knowing the journey has just begun. The foremost village to become a Champion of all Darlong villages was ‘Old Lamkhuang’, the Runner’s-Up was ‘Darchawi Village’, the Player of the Tournament was Mr. Kungvunga Kuki of Old Lamkhuang and the Best Striker was Mr. Johnson Darlong of Darchawi Village. Conversely, who would have thought and ever imagined that a small side-aided activity like ‘DȂRSINGER’ would become the ultimatum for the tribe in coming days?

            With the passing of years, the Darlong folks began to get tired of the competition for various reasons:

            * The competition was held every year

            *The winners are too repetitive

            *CYDA conducts only male oriented activities thereby leaving out the women folk

In lieu of such accusations, CYDA has begun to lose its influence among the common masses.    Just when every hope seemed to wane, when a feeling of lost was hovering around the tribesmen and women, ethno music appeared as a ray of hope in bringing about a renaissance in the Darlong history. This ray of hope ascended in the thought of the few intellectual think-tanks surviving under the banner of CENTRAL YOUNG DARLONG ASSOCIATION (CYDA). CYDA has been the ‘Bukpui- traditional institute’ of present Darlong- the folk, by organising and conducting extravaganza festivals like ‘Darlong Youth Festivals’, Village-wise Football Competition, Village-wise VolleyBall Competition, Dȃrsinger and other activities. The vital objective of the organising body was to saw the seed of respectful self governance among the young minds which had and has always been the most momentous treasure that the tribe possessed. However, it was not until the late 2010 that a realization crept into the minds of the CYDA to bring about a renaissance and resurgence in the field of ethno music. Thus, the so-called ‘DARSINGER’ came into being. The first ‘Darsinger’ of the tribe was Mr. Malsawmkima Darlong, residence of present Deora village. The competition was just what the folk needed at the meticulous circumstance that would ferry them across the river, independently having its harmonious rattle;

            Ngaibȃng Ṭlângpui

            A hnuai pialrem khur sunga

            A mawi darlei-lawn

            A chiar nghian eh... (Translation: through the tunnel lying beneath the Ngaibȃng mount runs a beautiful murmuring train on its harmonious rattle).

A couple of years later, ‘Darsinger Committee’ was formed under the supervision of CYDA. Given autonomous power, the committee decided to revitalize the ethno music. Initially, the supervising body did not come with courage in permitting the ‘Darsinger Committtee’ to include folk songs in the competition for the ‘Darsinger’ title. Eventually, the committee decided to go with the proposal once and for all. As a result, presentation of folksongs was demanded from the ‘Darsinger’ title’s competitors marking the genesis of ethno music renaissance in the Darlong history. Further, some the competitors were flush given an opportunity for audio/video recordings of folk songs irrespective of the genres. At the other end, Mr. Thanga Darlong, a residence of present Muruai village and the last surviving ‘Rosem- typical Darlong piped music instrument’ player was conferred the prestigious President’s Award for his contribution in the field of folk music of Tripura. At present, the ‘Rosem’ tune is being learned by few other young men of Deora and Muruai villages under the shadow of the famous, Thanga Darlong.  In the year 2015, a proposal was made to the DHI, the Darlong Apex Council for observing a ‘Darlong Cultural Day’ on 28^th October (the very day when Thanga Darlong was conferred president’s award). However, the proposal was but rejected by the Apex Council.

            With a view to persuade and endorse Darlong love song, CYDA banged the tribe by organizing a ‘DARLONG IDOL’ (season-1) beginning from December 2015. The first audition was held at Darchawi Village where numbers of contenders flunk to the spot in an attempt to try their respective luck. The concept of ‘Darlong Idol’ in fact was born at Sertlâng village during the Darlong Youth Festival Oct. 2015 and the prize was declared to be one lakh rupees. The objective behind the initiative was to bring about ‘rise brother rise in the awakening skies – Sarojini Naidu’ sort of feeling among the young generations and also to provide a platform for those who ventured into the art of singing. In spite of all the fact, there was a huge debate internally among the committee members as why to what and how should the execution programming be? Should the terms and conditions applied in terms of voting, elimination and the round imitate ones from Indian Idol, American or others? Consequently, opinions and perspectives differ from member to member; discussions after discussion, meeting after meeting was held. Finally, the committee decided to form a drafting committee and the drafted terms and conditions would be accepted as final. So was it. The competition show travelled from one hosting village to another and eventually held its grand finale at Deora Village. There is no denying the fact that the competition was not without a scratch – there was dissatisfaction among the communities of competitors, judges and committee members as well. Nonetheless, believing in the saying ‘Time is the healer of all wounds’: the committee was successful in concluding the competition and awarding the winners, etc.  Thus, the first Darlong Idol was Miss. Roichanhlu Darlong of Boitang village. She, also holding the title of ‘Darsinger 2012’ is famously known for her songs like ‘Tiana Pi nih Pu’, ‘Lenglai’ etc. Besides being known far and wide among the Darlongs - the people, she is also an important member of the Evangelical Free church of India’s (EFCI) district choir group. Apart from Roichanhlu, Remmawia of Muruai, Zovi Lalrinsangi of Deora, Zoremi of Deora, Lalropuii of Deora, Debori of Khawhreng, Chanthapuii of Boitang, Lalthangpuii of Boitang may be mention for their contributions in the field of folksongs. In the dying generation, Rev. C. Thuamdinga of Saibual kept on holding the string for surviving the age old songs. In fact, he also has few numbers of compositions of folksongs to his credit.

Sung by Chanthapuii, Boitang;

Doni Zai Phailian ki va hmu khuma rual, A ṭha hi sil sil puan an chang; Hei heia heiha hoiha Zawnliana bengbe kha zuk en roi A kuma ṭla bengbe an chang Hei heia heiha hoiha. Dingni dȃng sip ro nen hlia ro, Chuan kin bȇl thlan a phȗl zawk lam; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Dongkorsi tui dȃr hȃi lȇnin, Ṭhaṭe insem laiin lawn ro; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Kin thlȃn chunga bel a phȗl zawk lam, Ṭhaṭe zȃi zȃp khan en vuang ro; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Tang ro tang ro an ṭuai ruȃi eh, Thlȃi thlȃk larn kawl a khum hma in; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Sappu siamrem chunga zari An ri der der thangvan zawla Hei heia heiha hoiha. Rualsa tinzȃi ei rȇl a ding Ṭhate’n nu nȃi an nui na ding Hei heia heiha hoiha. Zȃn thim khawpui a zing le a Ṭhaṭ takin nȃi an inna ding Hei heia heiha hoiha.

Translation A large paddy field have I seen, Smooth and beautiful as did a bed; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Look at the earrings of Zawnliana, It’s a fallen ones on the bed cot; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Shade me, shade me off the scorching sun Thus, my vessel would instead sweat off Hei heia heiha hoiha. Holding a bronze glass of Dongkorsi Come forth to share the water of it; Hei heia heiha hoiha. On our ‘Thlan’ split over my water vessel, Remove them by stealthily fanning it; Hei heia heiha hoiha Harder and try harder Before the sunken makes it way Hei heia heiha hoiha. The beautiful creation high above, Its sounding sounding up in the sky; Hei heia heiha hoiha. Come lets’ play our animal counting game,  To bring laughter for mothers and child; Hei heia heiha hoiha. The dark night has fallen once more, The children shall have their sound sleep; Hei heia heiha hoiha.

 

            Stepping further, in the mix of Covid-19, the Darlong tribe has been continuously engaging itself in the promotion and composition of vernacular songs (both gospel and non-gospel). In spite of the well-known fact that the pandemic brought about a curse around the world, the 'lockdown' period had been a blessing in disguise for the Darlong common men and women. In the pre-pandemic period, the Darlong tribesmen and women had almost nothing to sing and hum (so far as the love songs are concerned). Youtubers began to explore the unventured field consequential in the production of several music videos. One of the most popular hit was version recreation of a philipino music track by a group led by Vannunsanga and Lalnundika of Saibual Village viz. ‘Stop Stop Stop’. Inspite of the track titles as 'Ki Lung Luasip Tu' As a result of its popularity, the crew came to be widely known as "STOP STOP STOP TEAM". Unfortunately, the team lost their most prominent vocalist, namely Thangsualiana of Khawhreng Village to illness. The demise brought about a mass nostalgia among the fans that were left heartbroken. Nevertheless, the team chose to continue its voyages to canonize his memories. Besides the spoken about team, youtube channels like H&D Production, Rinsanga Darlong Official, JHR Production, Darlongtube, LRP Production, Gabriel Theofil Youtube and many more came up with good many original songs such as ‘Kei Riangvȃi Hȋ’, 'Darlong Nunghȃk', 'Nang Chai', 'Ki Liam Hma'n', ‘Lampalak’,  'Ki Phal Theino', 'Nunziamawii', 'Hmêlṭhȃ Ki Dit Chem'  etc. In yet another circumstances, ‘Hrȃng Hla’ is a genre of Darlong folk songs that inspire and encourage the masses connecting their past to the present. Songs such as 'Salu Lam', 'Hlawmparual', 'Tonkil', ‘Tangrual’, 'Bȃkvomtepû', 'Darlong Vȃlrual', 'Darlong Ṭhalȃi', 'Dȃrsipai Hrat', 'Dȃrkhawrua', ‘Tiana Pi nih Pu’, ‘Hnam Hrisêl Tungding’, ‘Sinlung Naihei’, ‘Aw Hnam Puan’, ‘Ngoite’, 'Dȃrzakimi Khawphaisȃt' and the likes unambiguously champion the Hrȃng Hla genre of Darlong folk song.

           At present, the Darlong tribe continue to enjoy these blessings.