Divine Connection

A GROUP DESTINED TO GLORIFY NAGALAND.

It’s no longer hidden anymore that North East India (NE) is a reservoir of talents, especially in the field of music and singing, the year 2010 had been really promising for endowed artist/s from the NE zone to triumph over National reality shows, such as ‘India’s got talent’ and ‘MTV Rock on’, and these winners or rather prides of NE India are - Teji Toko (Arunachal Pradesh), Shillong chamber choir (Meghalaya) & last but not the least, Divine Connection (Nagaland).

Their winning over National Platforms in mainland India has not only brought them recognition to its zone & statehood but has strongly given an awe impact to other parts of India. Their success story would always be remembered & etched in GOLDEN WORDS in the pages of history in North-East India; one such small effort is here…

Of the three prides, I take the opportunity to try & unfold some aspects of DC’s success mantra, from its journey to struggle to success in congruence with the group itself. I sought Mhathung Odyou’s (the bassist of the band & a friend of mine) consent in assisting me to cover their story in brief to which he positively agreed…. And lo!! Here I’m!!

I was always pondering to post a write up on them but the push and grind city life of Delhi had always detained me, nevertheless, I squeezed out some time for the love of music & have managed to write a small effort as a tribute to the group (DC) whose niche would always be remembered for being the first ever band to triumph over NATIONAL REALITY SHOW CONTEST in mainland India, from Nagaland.

Let me take the privilege to give you all a brief insight about the band and then straight away take you to listen to their interesting story, in their own thoughts & words. DC is a Christian band, formed in Sept. 2004, from Kohima (Nagaland) and is a winner of the prestigious & popular MTV Kurkure Desi Beat Rock On contest who outperformed 9 other bands from all over the country and won several accolades to their fame on 27th Dec 2010; a Gibson Les Paul Guitar, a thunder bass guitar, a year’s contract with T- Series for Bollywood productions and a music video album with MTV. They have a debut album named ‘El-Roi’ which was released in 2008. They have been the 1st Runners Up at the first Hornbill National Rock Contest 2006 and clinched the Best Vocals (Obed Kath) subtitle at the same. The band has also performed on stage at all the districts of Nagaland and at various ‘rock capitals’ of the country including Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and featured in ‘Pattayapraise’ 2009 at Pattaya, Thailand. They had beaten ‘Kaivalya’ of Kolkata to hold the winning title of MTV Rock On Desi Beat 2010 in the Finale.

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERACTION WITH DIVINE CONNECTION & MHATHUNG ODYOU (The bassist and the head of the group)

DIVINE CONNECTION (members): Obed Kath (vocals)/ Lichen Kichu (guitars)/ Bendang (drums)/ Mhathung Odyuo (Bass)

DIVINE CONNECTION’S PHILOSOPHY (on music & life): DC is a Christian band which believes that young people can enjoy life and music without the influence of Drugs, sex, alcohol and Violence.

DIVINE CONNECTION’S INSPIRATION: We DC always thought that it was always our duty to give back to the Lord for his blessings on us, which was music. So our inspiration was always Jesus. Apart from the various international bands that inspired us it would not be fair for us if we did not mention our family because they were the backbone to our success. If it weren’t for our family we would not have reached thus far. Special thanks to my Mom and Dad for giving us a room for the past 12 years to practice and compose all the songs that we have been performing J thanks to our neighbours for being patient with us all these years. And how can we forget all our friends and fans who believed in us despite of all the odds… Thanks to you guys J

MTV DESI ‘ROCK ON’ EXPERIENCE/ 3 MONTHS: let me start by saying “WoW” to that… lol…. Mtv Desi Rockon was one hell of an experience. A lot of people will think that it was easy, but for us it was the most trying experience we have had in our life. Lemme start by reminding that this was the first time we ever sang hindi songs. All adimiration for Obed for adapting, adjusting,improvising and conquering J we all had our share of stress but Obed was the one who had to do the extra work of memorizing and getting used to all the new hindi songs. Our schedule was like getup, eat , practice, eat, practice , eat sleep etc… well now you might think “how easy” or “piece of cake” but the reality was “it was really taxing”, lemme briefly take you to how we lived and survived during the 2 and half month stay in Mumbai. Everyday breakfast was from 8a.m to 10a.m, after that we had jamming session for two hours then at 1p.m lunch, then jamming session for another two hours, then snack break at 6p.m, then if you are allotted the time, we practice or else, rest a little, then hit dinner at 10p.m. But in between all these, there were like reality shoots, pre and post bites, meetings and what not…

On the shoot day which was on Mondays we had to get up around 5a.m and go to the studio and after the most tiring day of the week shooting the whole day for two episodes back to back, we would reach our hotels the next day (i.e.) Tuesday, around 3 to 3:30 a.m. and then the whole cycle of listening to our new song, composing, rearranging, practice etc. for the next shoot starts again… One of our members still has nightmares about being in Mumbai and going through the whole process again ..lol….

CHALLENGES IN MAINLAND INDIA: Well, we all know that in Nagaland Nap- hindi rules lol….. but when we went to Mumbai it was really hard for us to converse & let alone sing in hindi. But by and by, we adjusted and we were able to come through. And the fries …………… don’t remind me of them lol…. Morning 8a.m fries, lunch fries, tea break again fries and dinner again fries lol… Fries overdose lol…… the first two weeks was not that bad, but after our raja pickle got exhausted then started the problems hahahahahahah…….. and further more the food wasn’t that hygienic, one time I even got a chicken leg piece with FEATHERS still ATTACHED to it… Yuck!!.. lol……… it was that bad… I wonder why people are so crazy about Mumbai Vada Pav??? For me it was like enough………. Lol.. But we were fortunate enough that we were invited for dinner, a couple of times. We were craving for axoni chutni, gahuri mangso and laipata boil and after a month all of a sudden some Naga friends invited us for dinner and to our delight, it was axoni chutni, gahuri mangso and laipata boil lol…… we went out for Chinese food a couple of times and to a sea food restaurant on the 24^th of dec J, and once Obed’s sister who lives in Bangalore even sent us Pork curry J but at the end of the day we all went back to the same old fries again…hahahahaha .

DIVINE CONNECTION (pre success): well a lot of people especially outside Nagaland think that we are a new band, but actually we are a very old band. For that matter, Obed and I, we have been around in the same band for about 11 years now. Prior to DC we were in a band called ‘Oleanders’ and we had our share of success even during that time. Presently, our former bands mates like - Lopeno Ovung and Neisakuo Noudi are music teachers in Delhi teaching in reputed schools like Aria and Asha school of music among others. Also before MTV, we came out second in the first ever National Hornbill Rock Festival ’06, and we have come out with our debut album called El-Roi.

CURRENT SCOOP: Right now we are concentrating with our debut Hindi single for the MTV music video. Let’s see where the Good Lord takes us from here J

Regards to all our friends and fans around the country J

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I feel, what is profoundly remarkable and commendable is getting out of their genre (gospel rock) of music to ‘desi rock’ and giving other bands a cut throat competition over ‘hindi singing’, a language which is barely spoken in a Naga Community, what further adds to their praise is taking the challenge to participate in a contest held in mainland India (which no other group ever participated), And for 3 months they had to compromise with fried foods & hindi speaking enviromnet. They not only sang hindi songs but Punjabi, folk, bollywood masala’s etc. what tops the commendation list is; they not taking a prank or a sarcasm into offense against hind pronunciation & verbal errors,and yet respond to those pranks with SIMPLICITY & EFFERVESCENCE. Such broadness, simplicity & versatility of singing with pre-requisite good music is destined to be the glory of Nagaland….

Last but not the least, my special commendation to Obed Kath (Vocals) for his extra endeavor, devotion, dedication & commitment towards singing in Hindi& other languages.

DC, We’re your fan for life. God Bless!