“Eastern Panorama magazine handed out the second edition of its Achievers Awards as part of its celebration of 22 years of uninterrupted publication. Spanning ten categories, awards were handed out by the Chief Guest of the function home Minister Roshan Warjari. The awards were handed over to people and organizations which have made contributions in their respective fields. The winners of this year’s edition of the awards included the Tetseo Sisters of Nagaland for music, Martin Luther Christian University for education, State Bank of India for Banking, Wansuk Myrthong of Meghalaya and Anshu Jamsempa of Arunachal Pradesh for Adventure Sports, Sumar Sing Sawian of Meghalaya for Cultural Promotion, Shankar Lall Goenka of the Jeevan Ram Moongi Devi Public Charitable Trust of Shillong for NGO, Utpal Baruah of Guwahati’s UB Photos for Photography, GVK EMRI’s 108 Service for Social Service and Chandan Bora for Rural Entrepreneurship.”

“We sang along with the Tetseo Sisters and a number of people around us did the same; they were just marvellous.”

“As the sun came down over the City of Joy, Nagaland’s Tetseo Sisters, winners of the MTS Discover band competition, took over and charmed a small, attentive crowd. The amiable banter between them and their audience made for a breeze of a set, starting with a playful call-and-response folk tune, segueing into a short and sweet selection of songs that had most closing their eyes, and swaying gently.”

“Another act that stole not only the limelight but also the hearts of music lovers was the Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland. Mercy, one of the trio, said, “Its wonderful being back in Bangalore. Being the music capital, the people here are very participative and love music.” Decked in their traditional attire, the sisters from the North-East easily drew crowds with their eclectic vocal folk enigma. “Being traditional is our USP. We enjoy what we do and we draw inspirations not just from our roots but also most contemporary musicians,” she says. The trio hope to take part in more festivals like Storm. “There’s a lot of music happening in the country and we love interactions with musicians. We want to experience India as a whole as well as various genres and enjoy the cultural exchanges possible.”

“Another act that stole not only the limelight but also the hearts of music lovers was the Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland. Mercy, one of the trio, said, “Its wonderful being back in Bangalore. Being the music capital, the people here are very participative and love music.” The recent Storm Festival saw the coming together of fantastic collaborations and some new faces. The two-day musical extravaganza was a culmination of a plethora of genres and talent coupled with adventure and fun. Metroplus speaks to some of the headliners on the occasion.”

“Like most people in Kohima, Mutsevelu, Azine, Kuvelu, and Alune Tetseo grew up listening to and being surrounded by music. The four girls learnt the songs their mother hummed, much of which was in their local dialect, Chokri, spoken in the Phek district of Nagaland. "Our mother put in a lot of effort into teaching us these songs. When we first started, we were not so enthusiastic about learning Chokri songs," says Mutsevelu, better known as Mercy. (Of the four, Azine has taken a break from touring after the birth of her child). "But over the years we became more interested in Li, or the folk songs."”

“Tetso Sisters from Nagaland performs on the last day of the NE Spring festival 2012 at NEZCC complex, Dimapur on March 23.The 4th edition of the annual Spring Festival organized by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) concluded Friday night at NEZCC ground, with Nagaland Governor, Nikhil Kumar, as the chief guest of the grand finale. The first Director of NEZCC, N Bendang Ao, also witnessed the grand finale.Director, NEZCC, Som Kamei in his introductory note said that the annual Spring Festival is organized to showcase the Northeast region’s rich ethno-multiplicity with its multitude of tribes and communities and their rich cultural traditions and art. The spectacular evening of folk and fusion music saw some of the region’s most popular names in music entertaining the crowd with their lively and energetic performances.”

“Folk tunes from Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland’s own folk and fusion pride, the Tetseo Sisters enhanced their reputation as a major force in the folk scene with an impeccable performance. The absence of one of the sisters was hardly felt as the remaining three went about churning four mesmerising numbers. Tripura and Nagaland echoed in pure harmony with a cool Dimapur evening even as NEZCC managed to serve Dimapur with another edition of mesmerising tribal-oriented 'Spring festival'.”

“At a time when language had no written forms, generations taught the younger ones to act, live and work through songs. These songs also kept the memories of ancestors, brave warriors and legends alive in people’s minds. Folk songs have been a part of every Naga’s life. Yet, in current times, the Tetseo Sisters — Mercy, Azi, Kuvelu and Alune — are the cultural ambassadors who have brought Naga folk music, in its pure form, to a larger audience outside the state of Nagaland. They have been performing and acquainting people with this form of storytelling, with much appreciation from listeners, within and outside India and have recently released the album Li: Chapter One. The Beginning. The Tetseo Sisters should be commended not only for their amazing voices and singing, but also for documenting so well a rich cultural heritage. Going through their blog, one comes across traditional stories that feature in the Chakesang folk songs. The blog sure is a resource.”

“Through such endeavors, youth from the northeast are now gaining recognition and popularity, Jeetumoni Kalita of Assam and Tetseo Sisters of Nagaland are one of the examples, who are well known across the country. (ANI) ”

“The newly released debut folk music album “Li: Chapter One ……The Beginning” by Tetseo Sisters are now available in stores across Nagaland and Guwahati and will be available soon in Shillong and Delhi.”

“Tetseo Sisters’ is currently in New Delhi as part their album promotional concert and will be shooting a few videos for the Incredible India campaign with Wilderness Films Ltd, New Delhi. On February 4, they performed at Wilderness Orchard in New Delhi. They will be doing a promo concert on February 10 at The Tent in North Campus, New Delhi at 5.30pm too. It will be followed by a series of promo concerts in and around Delhi for the whole of next week. Earlier, they performed at the Sunday Service of the Zeliangrong Christian Fellowship Delhi.”

“On 13th January 2012, Mithun Festival 2012 was organized at Govt. High School ground, Kohima. MLA and Chairman, Nagaland Khadi and Village Industries Board (NKVIB), Dr. Nicky Kire inaugurated the Mithun Festival 2012. Addressing the inaugural session of the Mithun Festival he said that this animal is very important in the economic, social and cultural life of the tribal people while terming it as a symbolic and a prized possession. He expressed happiness that the Government of India has also recognized this and has in the recent years extended Mithun Projects in 27 villages of Nagaland during 2009-10, 25 villages during 2010-11 and 40 projects during 2011-12. Highlights of the event included folk songs by the Tetseo Sisters, Exhibition of Mithun, Cultural Dances, Farmers’ Couple Show, Essay and Art Competition and Farmers’ Sports respectively. The western music marked the evening programme.”

“ Perhaps 2011 was a good year for Naga women even as need for their participation in decision making seems to have been recognised through a landmark judgment made by the Gauhati High Court in November this year for implementation of the 33% Reservation for Women in the Municipal and Town Councils in the State by early 2012. The music scene did have a touch of culture, thanks to the Tetseo Sisters, who endeavour to keep the Naga tradition of folk singing alive. Their ‘Li: Chapter 1’ album was released by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during Hornbill this year while Renbeni Odyuo, Naga Idol 5, earlier had also launched her debut album, followed by Ledi into her 2nd album just sometime back. These few instances are surely signs of progress for Naga women, who, despite challenges have stepped out of their way to accomplish greater things for the Naga society.”

“ Tetseo Sisters: Cultural Ambassadors extraordinaire by vishü rita krocha They have scaled heights as the new Cultural Ambassadors, as they are popularly known, and have gone places with their ‘Li’ which they call ‘the people’s music’. Their music has been well received across the country and abroad. Even as they insist that “Li is something from the past but it is the past which defines what we are in the present so in so much as Li is a part of us today, it will be a pattern in the bigger picture that will be tomorrow”, it is no wonder then that they have staged performances in countless events in the country and abroad. The sisters’ latest venture includes the launch of their debut album “Li Chapter One” which was released at the Hornbill Festival of 2011.”

“Tetseo Sisters performed at Jumping Bean Cafe on 16th December, 2011 for the very first time in celebration of their first album launch titled "Li Chapter One : The Beginning". It was an evening of folk music and fusion music with special appearance by Alobo Naga and the band.”

“The newly released debut folk music album "Li: Chapter One ......The Beginning" by the popular group Tetseo Sisters is now available in stores across Nagaland and Guwahati and will be available soon in Shillong and Delhi.”

“Chief Minister Nagaland Neiphiu Rio releasing the first album of the Tetseo Sisters at the Bamboo Pavilion, Naga Heritage Complex Kisama. (Photo/ Chizokho Vero) Chief Minister Nagaland Neiphiu Rio released the first album of the Tetseo Sisters titled Tetseo Sisters: Li Chapter One: The Beginning at the Bamboo Pavilion, Naga Heritage Complex Kisama on December 1. The Chief Minister congratulated the sisters on their first release and hoped to see more albums coming. The album comprising of 12 folk original songs in Chokri (Chakhesang) also has a Christmas folk song. The Tetseo sisters started working on their debut album since September 2010.”

“December issue of Woman's Panorama featuring the Tetseo Sisters of Nagaland. Hiyohey!”

“Tetseo Sisters present folk song during the book releasing function entitled “Nagas & Fashion: A Kaleidoscope” at The Orchid, Kohima on July 22, 2011. (Morung Photo)”

“Guwahati: November 28, 2011 For the first time ever, a beauty pageant was held keeping ‘Northeast’ as the theme and with people from various parts of the region coming together on one platform. With contestants, designers, performers and judges from different states of the Northeast, truly “eclectic” was the essence of the grand finale of Pond’s White Beauty Naturals Eclectic Model Hunt 2011 which was organised at the Pragjyoti ITA Centre for Performing arts, Machkhowa, Guwahati on Nov 26, 2011 and aired on television.To add a distinct flavour to the event, there were stunning performances like the Prayer Dance (Shiva Stuti) choreographed by noted Bharatnatyam and Sattriya dancer Indira P.P. Bora, to begin the show with; repertoire of Naga Folk songs by Tetseo Sisters, a four girls band from Nagaland, salsa and contemporary dances by Arif Mukhim and his partner, Mebajurica Khonjee and last but not the least, our very own Joi Barua, the new sensational voice from Assam.”

“The sounds of Nagaland echoed through India Habitat Centre as the second edition of the Handshake Concert was held to celebrate World Music Day. Anchored by former VJ Luke Kenny, the highlight of the concert were performances by Grammy award nominee Lama Tashi and Grammy awardee Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt. The Handshake Concert is organised by the Nagaland-based Rattle & Hum Music Society and Nagaland University. “This is an effort to promote Naga culture, Naga music and Nagaland,” said Bhatt. The Handshake Concert started in Mumbai in 2009 and aims to provide a platform for talent from the Northeast, especially Nagaland. With music lovers packing the hall and filling the aisles on June 21, the evening began with folk music band, Cultural Vibrants, followed by rock band OFF. Next in line were the Tetseo Sisters. Dressed in traditional attire and with traditional musical instruments, this group of four held the audience spellbound with their folk renditions.”

“Tetseo Sisters performance, at ICCR's Horizon series launch with Rattle and Hum Society Nagaland. Other artistes included OFF, Ebenezer band and Ao Cultural Troupe.”

“Mumbaikars haven’t had enough of the North-eastern display of rock n roll in the city. Recently, at The Handshake Concert on World Music Day, bands from Shillong and Nagaland played to an eager audience at the St. Andrew’s auditorium, Bandra. The Rolling Stones and the Rattle & Hum Music Society brought down musicians from the North-East who rattled their way through the concert space and delivered a truly rocking performance. The artists from Nagaland included Cultural Vibrants, Tetseo Sisters, Asin and Eximious. The musicians also shared the stage with Grammy Award winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt apart from bands we are very familiar with like Soulmate from Shillong and Hipnotribe from Mumbai.”

““Folk songs are a very important means of sharing our history and in each song, there are many stories. We retain the original chorus and then add parts and compose the song to make it more progressive, but retain the flavor,” explains Mercy. “We don’t play around much with the melody, but work with the verses. The themes are very universal – songs about love, life, friendship. Songs about day-to-day stuff.” Tetseo Sisters will perform will perform as part of Folk Nations today at 6pm, Blue Frog, Mumbai.”

“Tetseo Sisters is currently on "South India Tour" which started March 6 in Chennai. Its next show is at Chennai's 136.1 Yoga Studio, followed by appearance at Bangalore's Studio 136.1, then at Indie March, Counter Culture, Bangalore, and then Mumbai and Delhi.”

“We first heard the happy harmonies of Nagaland’s Tetseo Sisters back in June 2009 when they performed in Mumbai at the Handshake Concert that was held at the St. Andrew’s Auditorium. This will be their first gig in our city since then, and in the interim, the Kohima-based vocal quartet comprising sisters Mercy, Azi, Kuvelü and Alüne (Lulu) Tetseo has performed regularly in Delhi and the North East, and released their debut album. At the Folk Nations showcase, Mercy, Kuvelü and Lulu (Azi is on maternity leave) will be joined on stage by their brother Mhaseve, who happens to also be their sound engineer, on guitar. Unsurprisingly, they’ve drawn comparisons to The Corrs, the Irish pop band of siblings who they cite as an influence.”

“The Tetseo Sisters campaigns for the current Péro fall-winter collection. Péro is a label launched in 2009 by Aneeth Arora, who has recently won the first Vogue Fund in India. She has participated at the Berlin Fashion Week and is a regular at Pitti Bimbo (Florence Italy), Pitti Uomo (Florence Italy), Tranoi (Paris), Designer and Agents (New York) and Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week (New Delhi).”

“There was the unforgettable von Trapp family in The Sound of Music. Michael Jackson’s family was an inchoate band before he bestrode everybody like a colossus. The Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland, who will perform in the city on March 6 and 7, are in great company then. It’s their first time in south India, “and Chennai is a melting pot of young talent and I hope we are able to strike a chord,” Mercy says. “We have always experimented with music and would be more than happy to collaborate with artistes from the south,” she concludes. The Tetseo Sisters will be performing at Kalakshetra on March 6 and at 136.1 Yoga Studio on March 7.”

“Music has always been rife and rich in the northeastern corner of India. The legendary Bhupen Hazarika and Lou Majao from the days of yore to contemporary favorites like ‘Soulmate’ and ‘Boomarang’, the lush greens of the North East has consistently produced music that is synonymous with brilliance. The last decade however, has witnessed its widespread recognition and assimilation in the mainland of the Indian subcontinent, thanks to many upcoming musicians from the region. Among the forerunners of this league of young and ambitious musicians endorsing Northeast India’s music, the Tetseo Sisters have carved quite a niche for themselves. This quartet of four sisters from the Nagaland is devoted to the tradition of vocal folk music of the state. An ‘a cappella’ style of singing combined with storytelling, and the occasional use of one-stringed instrument tati or heka libuh (mithun horn), their compositions are mostly lores on Nagaland.”

“The Tetseo Sisters’ music is a mix of traditional folk and fusion. They sing in Chokri (a dialect spoken by their tribe) and English as well. Their music focuses more on vocal harmonies, simple melodies and lyrics. The traditional songs cover a lot of themes and topics ranging from odes to nature, prayers, love, accounts of war, friendship, death, beauty, bravery, competition, marriage and people. “We hope to continue doing our bit in keeping the dying tradition of Naga folk alive and making it more visible to the rest of the world. We want to leave a body of work that will serve as an important reference point for our history and continue the effort of documenting the lives and culture of the Nagas in a concrete manner in the form of recordings and the traditional way of oral transmission through our live shows,” say the sisters. The band will be performing on March 9, 8.30pm at Counter Culture ”

“The Tetseo Sisters, folk artists from Kohima, have been attributed with beginning the folk-fusion movement in Nagaland. The quartet — sisters Mercy, Azi, Kuvelu and Alune Tetseo — perform in Mumbai today along with Raghu Dixit, Papon and other folk acts and will sing "Li" (folk songs) in the Chokri dialect of the Chakhesang Naga tribe of Nagaland.”

“From songs of nature to metaphors of love and life, ‘Leichal’, a Festival of the North East, revolves around these universal themes, the folk dance and music of the region reflecting them. The three-day festival, organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation, features artistes from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. Says Jyothi Menon, theatre manager of Kalakshetra, “The idea is to provide a stage for interaction. Sadly, our knowledge about North East culture is restricted. So, ‘Leichal’, the Manipuri word for ‘a bouquet of flowers’, is to ensure that these folk art forms gain exposure.” Mercy Tetseo, a member of the Tetseo Sisters, who performs Li (folk singing from Nagaland), is excited to perform in the city. “This is our first trip to South India and we were very happy to come to Chennai. We are looking forward to exploring Chennai culture and this is a brand new audience,” she says. As a part of Leichal, Festival of the North East, Tetseo Sisters will perform on March 6 a”

“Li serves its purpose as lessons, stories, anecdotes, expression of ideas, requests for favours, an ode, a poem, dirges, tributes, prayers, expressing joy, sorrow, anger, celebrating victory and mourning loss. Li also helps identify the groups doing the singing; the activity they are involved in and it helps gauge the general mood of the singers.”

“Longing for a whiff of Naga music? Then head for the weekend show by Tetseo Sisters, a Kohima-based band which represents the ideals of the North East. The Tetseo Sisters’ music is a mix of traditional folk and fusion. They sing in Chokri (a dialect spoken by their tribe) and English as well. Their music focuses more on vocal harmonies, simple melodies and lyrics. The traditional songs cover a lot of themes and topics ranging from odes to nature, prayers, love, accounts of war, friendship, death, beauty, bravery, competition, marriage and people.”

“Kohima-based folk music group Tetseo Sisters performing during the annual 4th Nagaland Music Awards at IMC Hall in Dimapur on Friday evening, October 12. The music award was organized by Native Trax Society to promote musical works from musicians in Nagaland.”

“From songs of nature to metaphors of love and life, ‘Leichal’, a Festival of the North East, revolves around these universal themes, the folk dance and music of the region reflecting them. The three-day festival, organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation, features artistes from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. Says Jyothi Menon, theatre manager of Kalakshetra, “The idea is to provide a stage for interaction. Sadly, our knowledge about North East culture is restricted. So, ‘Leichal’, the Manipuri word for ‘a bouquet of flowers’, is to ensure that these folk art forms gain exposure.””

“Prince Andrew, Duke of York in his brief address at the public reception accorded to him at NBCC convention centre conveyed the message from the H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, thanking the Nagas for their great contribution and sacrifices during the historic battle of Kohima. Rio congratulated the Queen on her diamond jubilee and conveyed the wishes of the Naga people to the Queen for good health and long life. Rio further wished the Prince and his entourage to take back with them fond memories of Nagaland and the Naga people and become the ambassador of Nagaland wherever they go. The civic reception held in honour of the visit of the Duke of York also showcased Naga couples from all tribes in traditional attires, Chokri folk songs by Tetseo Sisters and Khiamnungan War dance. Prince Andrew was accompanied by James Bevan, the British High Commissioner, Sanjay Wadvani, British Deputy High Commissioner and members of the Royal family.”

“There was the unforgettable von Trapp family in The Sound of Music. Michael Jackson’s family was an inchoate band before he bestrode everybody like a colossus. The Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland, who will perform in the city on March 6 and 7, are in great company then. It’s their first time in south India, “and Chennai is a melting pot of young talent and I hope we are able to strike a chord,” Mercy says. “We have always experimented with music and would be more than happy to collaborate with artistes from the south,” she concludes.”

“Every time Tetseo sisters take to the stage, they talk to their audience before they begin singing the traditional Li songs of Nagaland. Crisply yet clearly, they explain where they come from, what they will sing, the meanings of the lyrics and the significance of those songs for ordinary Naga women who sing while going about their daily chores. The style of explaining each song — the eldest Tetseo sister Mercy says it is their trademark — may sound like a lecturedemonstration but is far more profound. It is the most effective tool to warm up an audience alien to Li songs and establish a connect with the listeners that lasts beyond the evening. No wonder, the four Tetseo sisters have invitations from all over India to perform at events where many wouldn't even know much about Nagaland.”

“The 6th Annual Tamchon Football tournament held at Delhi's Dr. Ambedkar Stadium was inaugurated by Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar. 16 teams took part in the tournament whose main objective is to promote peace, friendship, unity through games. Assam's Bihu, and Manipur's Don Cholom dance, was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, as was the performance by the Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland. The event was organized under the aegis of Tanghkul Naga Society, Delhi, with support from government and private agencies.”