INTRODUCTION
India’s north eastern states are landlocked with neighboring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Smaller North Eastern states include Arunachal, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. Manipur is the sleeping giant in the lap of its mother and life provided by the Barak river. The music from its big neighbor state Assam and Tripura had been the subject of discussion before on this blog. This week our feature is going all the way back to yet another north eastern state of Manipur to bring you a flavor of music from this region.
Thanks to friends who chaperoned and screen singers from these eastern states. As you may see for the singer we bring this time, IboPan, the Smule is a real extended family.
Ibo lives currently in Bangalore and when contacted was very enthusiastically found time to speak with us. We were excited about knowing a singer from a new state we never covered here before. Ibo and his young brother are interested in Photography and he shared some beautiful scenes they both captured of Manipur with us that we want to share here with all you guys.
We met with Ibo on an early morning hour of his weekend and he was running around looking for a cup of tea for waking up. Finally when we both had a cup of tea to share across two worlds apart, we were excited to meet with this highly energetic innocent looking, very charming young man. Ibo had been gracefully saying a lot of good things about the blog site and was really happy to hear all good words. We all thank you for your representation of great state of Manipur on Smule Sing. With a sip of quality tea, people at both ends were ready for a good chat time about music.
Personal life:
Ibo grew up in a family of four siblings. His dad was the Principal of the state’s oldest institute Johnston Higher Secondary School, and held positions like Board member of Education Department of the state. The influence of a great dad seem like made a huge impact on Ibo specifically. He says his dad was there with him all through their growing up. he could remember many activities and memories revolving around his childhood; when it came to music, Ibo was the only one who can sing and passionately listened to music in the entire family.
It was quite later when he reached St. Alosyius college, Mangalore, that he discovered his real love for music. He says some how his college was the place where he found friends with similar tastes and the college environment was beyond just an educational institute. He did his Bachelors there and later his Masters in English at English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. Both places gave him ample opportunities for a lot of extracurricular activities. Very early in life, Ibo learned the importance of helping others from his family, especially his Grandparents, and now he is a prolific social worker involved with less privileged and Ibo proudly said, “I am a huge fan of volunteer-ship.”
An Introduction to Smule: Ibo also stumbled upon this App by chance and never looked back. It helped him do experimentation with his music, record and perfect his own singing and all that one can do with this app. Ibo is head over heels on the magnanimity of this platform for a singer like him.
My journey on Smule – “It was just out of curiosity (as a friend introduced the app to me) when I joined Smule, little knowing that I would venture into some real exciting singing experiences and come this far. Today, I am so gratified as I look at my record on my Smule profile. A plethora of collabs, group songs, my occasional solos etc. across multiple genres sung and shared with my many talented friends.”
” The day I signed up on smule, I remember that I sang two songs –my first ever collab with GokulKNair (a talented voice from Kerala, he was already a popular singer then), another collaboration with Nikki_116. They both gave instant welcome to my joins; I cherish both of them with that memory, as my Smule foundation. Slowly, I gained more familiarity and recognition among others, and through more exploration of singing with one another. It was a great learning and experience, overall the journey had been amazing.”
A College life out of Manipiur:
Ibo is an exceptionally outgoing and very friendly guy. He says a multi-cultural environment at the colleges he attended gave him a lot of friends from all over India. He think his parents decision to send him far away from his home is never can be underestimated. Currently Ibo is a Corporate professional working in areas of Learning & Development, and live in the beautiful city of Bangalore.
Did you ever thought what is your music mean to you?
Very long silence and then suddenly “For me it is all glimpses of my life. It is an expression of my emotions and that way it is intertwined with my life and thoughts. It is definitely intertwined with emotional status, and music is an instrument to self express.” A very well thought answer, definitely tells volumes about this musician and probably define his music.
Wow, So what is the purpose of all these self expression?
“Many friends have often asked me and directed me to take my music a level up and do something about it. Now I’ve also started thinking in that direction. There is a lot of ideas, but not there yet. I sometimes perform my music on stage at my work and I feel thankful at great appreciation on my singing from many others. All good.”
So next is pursue a career in music?
“Yes, I would. Opportunities are there. I would grab anything that comes my way for sure. It will be a dream to sing for Playback.”
What is your thoughts on Classic muisc? And do you think one can be successful with out any classical music training?
“Yes, training in Classical music will help a singer to learn discipline and it becomes more relevant in the face of competition these days. Yes”
What is your take on the current Bollywood music? Is it in the right direction?
If you are asking about about the remixes of old classics and the critiques. I feel, I am not able to like all the trending remixes of old songs as they take away the essence of the original. But some unwind and cover versions are beautiful.”
So what type of music do you like?
My favorite music director- ARR and my favorite singer is Lucky Ali . My favorite female singer is Pushpa Rani. She came to fame from Manipur through Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. She is big name in Manipur and she is great singer we all are very proud to get on the National fame from the far small state of Manipur. I am big fan of Lata Mangeshkarji. I like many genres of music
That sums up of a very extensive time we spend with Ibo. We know Ibo’s singing for many months. Have heard many of his songs from his profile, all show tremendous potential as an artist with a clear thought process of artistry and talent in singing. Ibo is an artist with a lot of creativity that goes into whatever he do. When Ibo comes in front of us, he is not just a face for his song, but an active singer who talks to us, sings and use his visuals to produce something better as a piece of entertainment and Art. It makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Let us hear some of his singing from the very few video collaborations we could adapt here. First choice is his Manipuri collaboration. Very refreshing to see listen to a new language. Give a listen to two of such collaborations of Ibo on Smule.
His big time friend on smule here with him Ritu. It is very unique that Ibo have a new friend made through every one of his collaborations. He is very good at making a healthy friendship with his co-singers. Give a listen to this beautiful collaboration.
Saathiya, A good collaboration from Ibo’s profile.
This one is a video production of Ibo when he was visiting another city. He is super creative with many things he do. Enjoy this.
Ibo have a Soundcloud account. Here is the link to his account. Here are few of the selected Smule audio songs from his Soundcloud account. His very first friend on Smule Nikita Patel sings this absolutely great song with Ibo. Enjoy this.
Aaaogi Jab tum, a beautiful Ghazal. Ibo’s own duet-version of “Aaoge Jab tum” a beautiful cover sung with @Divz_music
With a girl who have folded up all the weathers in her voice_Ritu
END THOUGHTS
It is a story of every boy, who live in every unknown corners, in this world; and he wish in his heart of heart that he could make it big one day out there in the world. Some day he will find that magic lamp that take his story all over the world. There is not any more words needed to describe this story. All the best Ibo. Here is the link for his profile on Smule. Please visit him and follow him and encourage this singer. Please come back every weekend to know more singers picked from all over the world here.
The great India Singers on Smule Sing 