Kohima: In the heart of Nagaland’s vibrant music scene, folk fusion trailblazers Moa and Arenla Subong seamlessly blend traditional Naga sounds with contemporary influences. Since their musical journey began in the 20th century, the dynamic duo—partners in life and melody— continues to push artistic boundaries even in the 21st century.
Moa and Arenla Subong didn’t just create music—they shaped a sound uniquely their own. The duo formed ‘Abiogenesis’ in 1991. The duo, with the other two members, carved a niche with their signature ‘Howey’ style, a seamless fusion of modern music with Naga folk tunes.
In a conversation with EastMojo, Moa recalled that before forming Abiogenesis, they performed as a duo. While recording an album at Studio Vibration in Kolkata, they caught the attention of Shashi Menon, the Regional Manager of Magnasound, one of India’s major music labels.
According to the Moa, Menon was impressed with their work and insisted that their album be released under Magnasound. This led to the launch of Rapture, making it the first English album by an Indian artist to be released by the label.
Realising the need for a dedicated band, the duo formed one with musicians from Nagaland, leading to the birth of Abiogenesis. Their debut concert was held at Town Hall, Mokokchung, on May 2, 1991. Initially, Abiogenesis started as a rock band, performing both covers and originals, but as they matured musically, they began exploring new sounds. Over time, they developed Howey music, evolving into Nagaland’s first folk fusion band.
Abiogenesis began as a rock band, performing a mix of covers and original compositions. However, as their musical journey progressed, they sought to create a sound that reflected their roots. This evolution led to the birth of Howey music—a fusion of modern elements with Naga folk traditions—establishing Abiogenesis as the first Naga folk fusion band.
Their musical journey took an innovative turn in 2005 when Moa invented the Bamhum, a bamboo wind instrument that has become synonymous with their sound. The name is a fusion of “bam” from bamboo and “hum” for the humming technique used to create its distinct sound.
Arenla recalled how the journey to perfecting the Bamhum was not instant. “One morning, I heard my husband playing a funny sound,” she recalled with a laugh. “When I asked him about it, he told me he was experimenting with a bamboo instrument. Every morning after that, I kept hearing this odd noise—until one day, it transformed into something melodious.”
Moa, conferred the Padma Shri in 2023, said he took the challenge of refining the instrument for months, shaping its sound into what became a signature element of their music.
‘Modernisation, not westernisation’
For indigenous musicians, embracing the future does not mean losing touch with the past. Abiogenesis co-founder Moa believes modernisation should enhance cultural identity, not erase it.
“I want youngsters to understand that we should go for modernisation, not westernisation. That’s how we keep our identity intact,” Moa shared. “Our music is a blend of modern and folk elements because we must stay connected with past and present generations,” he added.
Through Howey music and Bamhum, Moa and Arenla have found a way to bridge tradition and innovation, proving that cultural heritage can evolve without being lost.
“Innovation plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Naga folk music, and Abiogenesis has been at the forefront of this movement. By blending traditional Naga folk elements with modern rhythms, the band has created a unique sound that resonates with local and global audiences. The use of modern instruments alongside indigenous ones showcases how innovation can breathe new life into indigenous music,” Moa shared.
Their musical journey with Abiogenesis has taken them to extraordinary places, from intimate royal performances to high-stakes international gigs. From performing for Bhutan’s royal family to playing under high-security conditions in Tunisia, their experiences with Abiogenesis have been anything but ordinary.
“One of our most memorable performances was in Tunisia where we were ferried to an island. When we arrived there, the buses took us to the performance venue. Then, we saw armoured army personnel which excited us. They were there the whole time to protect us which made us feel secure and special. To add to our excitement, we slept on the bus,” the duo shared.
Being a woman in the music industry comes with challenges, and for Arenla Subong, the struggles go beyond the stage. From performing in remote locations to dealing with the lack of proper green rooms, she has often had to improvise.
“Dressing up and doing makeup without a proper green room has always been challenging,” she shared. Yet, despite these hurdles, Arenla continues to shine as the lead vocalist and Bamhum player of Abiogenesis.
What’s next for Abiogenesis?
Even after decades, Abiogenesis shows no signs of slowing down. The duo is gearing up for an exciting year with a brand-new music video and a music album. But that is not all—Arenla is also scripting a fresh Howey musical film.
“We don’t know how long these projects will take, but we’re all looking forward to them,” Moa added.
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