Colors of Abiogenesis: Abiogenesis | Spinout With Verus Ferreira

Dimapur based couple Moa and Arnela Subong who are also part of the band Abiogenesis, have been making short films through Abiogenesis Films since over two decades. ‘Enter My World’ their latest film is set to the tunes of a homegrown genre of world music that infuses jazz, rock and pop with tribal Naga chants. It’s a sound Arenla has grown up hearing: “how-ee, how-aa, how-ee, how-aa”. For her ancestors across tribes in Nagaland, this was the go-to chant for any group activity, be it farming, fishing, or even dancing. Today, the chant has evolved into a genre of world music.
The film is a 75 minute Howey musical and has the unique and colourful Naga costumes and culture, along with the picturesque location of Nagaland that makes this film a real treat. But the highlight, admits the duo, remains the music. “It is a Howey musical while the spoken dialogues are in English, the tunes are all Howey. If you listen to our music, you will feel like singing. It’s fresh and it comes from the heart. Howey has the potential to energise both the listener and the singer,” says Arenla who has scripted, directed and acted in all the films they’ve done. ‘Enter My World’ is available on Amazon Prime Video.
The music of Abiogenesis is nothing short of exotic, something we have never heard, wholesome music that soothes the mind and fills the soul. Abiogenesis to a science student would be a biological term, but to Moa who founded the band, it is a Rock – Folk - Fusion band formed in 1992 that has been performing since 2005. They describe their sound as a form of world music called ‘Howey music’. They are the only band in the world that plays Howey and Bamhum, the latter a bamboo wind instrument created by Moa that produces unique indigenous tones that blends well with traditional Naga folk music.
The band has four albums to their credit. Last week, Moa was inducted as Programme Committee member of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
⬇ Voices In Kisama - Abiogenesis Official Music Video:
⬇ Abiogenesis Band From Nagaland Performs In Delhi:
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