Nearly 10 years in the reckoning, the Shillong Chamber Choir has come a long way since its inception in 2001. Formed by pianist Neil Nongkynrih to hone talent from the Northeast, the choir has expanded its horizons to include an eclectic repertoire, apart from winning the top prize at India’s Got Talent 2. A group of 16 members, the choir recently enthralled the Obamas at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan and made the country proud by bagging the gold at the World Choir Olympics.
Neil, who mentors the group and also serves as its conductor, elaborates on the decision of creating the group. “I wanted to do something unusual and different when I chanced on the idea of creating the choir. I wanted to involve the age group that was not attracted to the idea of a choir and was lost to the world of heavy metal,” says Neil about the choir, whose members are in the age group of 16 and 22.
While the choir is definitively ‘young’, Neil describes its sound as “crossover”. He says, “We are not the heavy-operatic type. At the same time we don’t have the superficiality of pop music. We strike a balance between the two with singers who have elements of discipline, training and strategic learning.” Talking about how he is put-off by the stereotypical operatic voice, Neil says, “I side by the disdain for the opera. I want my singers to sound like the kid-next-door –– imperfect yet beautiful.”
Beauty in imperfection seems to be the perfect adage to describe the group, whose latest album Neil says was approached as if not professionally. “Our album is not squeaky Bollywood, but rough and casual. We sing from the heart and don’t over-practice anything.” The choir also prides itself on being diverse and free of purist traditions. “From golden Bollywood hits to Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart, our repertoire includes them all. We like to challenge our listeners and educate them at the same time.”
Commenting on their reinvention of Bollywood music, Neil says, “Bollywood is used as a reference point in our music. It helps us reach a larger audience.” However, the choir also remains rooted in its traditions. “On our agenda is also the cause of khasi –– a dying language. Through our music we try to showcase its heritage,” he adds.
Having toured widely in Europe and the Americas, Neil talks about how the group has been received. “We challenge the perceptions that the west has about both Indian and Western music. While we meet them at an equal footing, we’ve let globalisation influence our sound and style. When we performed Beethoven in Malaysia recently, the Germans in the audience wept.”
However, Neil feels that the Indian music industry largely remains one that is dictated by commerce. “Everything now is only made to sell. Who caters to the average listener?” he asks.
For the average listener there is of course the Shillong Chamber Choir with their hit interpretations of Yadon Ki Baraat and Aane Wala Pal. Talking about aspirations of going ‘mainstream’, Neil says, “There is room and space for us. Not everything needs to be raunchy or techno. We’re happy being a family act.”