BHUBANESWAR: Diwani Diwani Agho dil jaane, Wenjamu lo sajni (hear me, oh my beloved)... sets the tone of the first ever launch of Kui language music album here today by the Tribal Development Minister Bijay Bariha. The fusion of Hindi with Kui language explains the rationale behind the event.
Speaking to this paper, popular music composer Manmath Mishra, who has scored the music, said that the mission behind is to put the Kui language on the national stage. Besides, it is also aimed at mainstreaming the tribal singing talents lying in obscurity. “However, the most important theme of this album launch is to popularise the Kui dialect, culture and customs,” said Mishra.
Mama manga Mama manga, Sur anaa ayan ninga Lanjigarha... simply sums up the painstaking efforts. Stephen, who has rendered his voice to the musical number, translated this. This means: My uncle’s daughter, come with me, I will take you to Lanjigarha. The professional singer explains that this song eulogises the king of Dongria Kondhs - the Niyamgiri Raja.
Titled Niyamgiri ti Rani, the music compact disc produced by Krishna Movie Associates in association with Vedanta Aluminium Limited contains a total of eight musical numbers.
The lyricist and the singers are all from the indigenous Kui tribes. Gopal Mulaka has composed the lyrics.
Jitu Jakasika, the poster boy of VAL movement, who has lent his voice to the romantic number Diwani Diwani....explains the backdrop themes of the songs. All songs weave the emotional expressions of Dongria Kondhs on happy occasions like festivals and marriages. Also, some revolve around the intricate love life of the Dongiras. Jitu said that he is not a professional singer, but he scored one number for the cause of his tribe.
Though the dialect is mainly tribal, modern musical instruments have provided rhythm. Misra, however, said this album is not entirely recorded with modern instruments. Tribal instruments like Nishan (drum like) and Mohuri (shehnai type) have also been used. The rationale behind heavy modern accent is to give it a popular appeal, added Mishra.
Cine actor and MP Sidhant Mohapatra hailed the effort saying that art and culture lends an identity to an individual that counts high in development indices. Moreover, as it pertains to art and culture of primitive tribal groups, the effort is indeed timely.
He said that a museum on Saura tribal heritage is on the cards in Gajapati.