If you love the soothing music of a piano, you should add Nise Meruno to your playlist. Meruno is from Dimapur, Nagaland. Surprised? You would never expect it to happen, but this small state in the North East has brought Meruno a much needed impetus to show the world what he is made of. This artist, has had the honour of performing for dignitaries such as the President and Prime Minister of our country, not forgetting playing for socialites like Aamir Khan and the Ambanis, and if you talk about awards, well the list is endless. He has played all across the world and also composes for and directs choirs, and mentors musicians.

The star pianist won the Governor's Award for Excellence in music and currently helms an all-male choir called Zowe Madrigal. Meruno is cultural ambassador of music in his hometown and shares his expertise on music by teaching and training musicians and artists. A conversation, however short, is sure to leave you with a message of hope, for Meruno is a motivational speaker who inspires young people to follow their dreams.

It was a privilege for Verus Ferreira to chat up with the very down to earth Nise Meruno and reveal how it all began for him.

When did you know/realize that you wanted to play the piano?

I started playing the piano when I was six years old and how I got initiated to it, perhaps, we will talk about as we continue this chat.  But the reason I chose to pursue it as a career was because I found my identity in it; I was most myself when I played the piano. And so, it was an easy career choice to make. It was all in pursuit of happiness! It made me happy!

Was music always in your family?

Yes, it was and still is, and that takes us back to the first question… and the “calling” that happened when I was all of six years old.I am the fourth generation pianist in my family, and in fact, my grandmother who’s 90 and still alive by God’s grace, still plays the piano, and so, of course, the first music genre I was exposed to as a child was Classical music, and to this this day, there’s always music in our home – western classical music, let me add, at least in my Granny’s house. Allow me to tell you specifically when I stared playing… It was during one of our family gatherings at my grandparents’ home that I just randomly sat on the piano and stared playing, and so, for my 6^th birthday, my parents’ gift to me was a formal piano teacher was Ms. NikoloTsuzu, after which Mrs. Margaret Shishak took me under her care… and as they say – the rest is history and here we are!

Did you receive any formal training in piano?

Yes, I did. Like I said, I started with Ms. Nicolo and then continued with Mrs. Margaret, but during those days, we did not have music examiners coming from various international music boards like we do today, and so, I privately trained under Mrs. Shishak for many years, and travelled to Shillong to give my first exam straight for GRADE 7. After my 12^th Standard, I pursued my music studies further in Singapore, and during that time, I also got trained in Western Classical singing, Conducting and Composition, which are all still a part of my music life and career.

You left a high-paying job as a flight steward to pursue music. Wasn’t it a risk you were taking?

Well, I’m flying higher now, aren’t it??!! (Laughs) But on a serious note, perhaps it was a risk that I was taking, but that thought never crossed my mind. It was my “love” for my “calling” (music) that I was following, so the decision to change my career trajectory came fairly easy.

Did you always want to be a pianist?

No! I wanted to be a flight steward too, at one point! (Laughs)

Are you a very religious/spiritual person?

I am uncertain as to how a religious/spiritual person would be defined, but in all things I do, I instill in my soul and being that it’s always: Soli Deo Gloria (To God Be The Glory alone). I guess I will leave that open to individual interpretation.

Have you ever suffered from stage fright?

Yes, because, before I am a pianist, first and foremost, I am human(Laughs). But I have a ritual that I follow before I hit the stage. I tell myself repeatedly that “I am the best!”, which probably is not the truth, but I tell that to myself. This always, miraculously calms my nerves and helps me give my best on the stage. Another thing that I focus on is the truth, which is: we are not bigger than the art, and so the focus should never be on us and our inhibitions, but on the art we are about to share with the audience, which should take centre-stage.  When I am on the stage, I am only a messenger of the music; I have put my heart, my soul and hours of practice for that moment alone – a moment where I believe I touch heaven.

You are also the Ambassador for two international music brands; can you tell us how this came about?

Yeah, who would have ever thought that a Naga would be endorsing two international brands – Yahama (Japan) and AKG (Austria), but let me answer you, first, with a quote…“It takes skill to perform a piece but passion to win hearts” – I’m quoting myself here, by the way… (Laughs). As a performer, you have to connect with the audience and there is a likeability factor that plays a huge role. I guess my companies saw that in me, and perhaps that’s what has led us here. It was when I was performing in Guwahati for the Yamaha Store opening that the then Managing Director for Yamaha Music India was in the audience. There happened to be an instant connection that he made with me while I was performing, and I am very certain that that was the turning point in me becoming a Yamaha Artist and to be the first Indian to endorse Yamaha Pianos.  There are many who are as good as me or even better, but I know I manage to build a connection with my audience, and I work on it. By no means is this a small feat, and I respect the relationship I have with the two brands I endorse and be loyal to the trust they’ve put on me. It is an honor, and I take the responsibility seriously.

What kind of pianos do you use at home? How many do you have and which is your favorite to play on?

A Yamaha, of course… There’s just one and it’s a Yamaha and that’s all I need, and the reason being, I believe in the brand I endorse.

Do you have any albums released or any collaborative albums with any other artistes? What about original compositions?

Yes, I have released an album of my original compositions, which featured many other singers and musicians, so if that can be called a collaboration, then I guess, yes would be the answer to the second part of your question. The music genre of the album mostly focused on Naga folk-fusion, but I have to be honest here, I cannot stand that genre at this point in my life (laughs), with all due respect to those who are giving their lives for it… (laughs). The reason I can’t stand the present Naga folk fusion is because, instead of making a beautiful blend of western and Naga music, there’s a terrible war happening… I really have to shove pencils through my ears when I come across that particular genre these days. (Laughs)

Talking of collaborations, can you share any work done with other artistes within the Northeast and outside of it?

Yes, I’ve been very fortunate and blessed that way…. Lets start and you may sweep the names while I drop them… (laughs…) Well internationally, I’ve had the privilege of working with the famed Hungarian Opera singer, Sylvia Sass, Conductor Marco Balderi from Italy, BBC Conductor Gregory Rose and also the Yale University Choir and that’s just some to name… for now. In India and in Nagaland, I have also worked with many, not just musicians, but dancers and poets, and painters and fashion designers. Being surrounded with creativity makes me very happy and I guess this is the reason I professionally collaborate so much with people of all artistic professions. I am welcoming of collaborations, but I don’t do it for publicity, so, to be blatantly honest, they have to appeal to my artistic sensibilities so ya, not all are welcome… (laughs)

You have been helping in spreading the gift of music in your community, and in particular, Nagaland and Dimapur – Comment!

Have I?? Thank you! (Laughs) But really, what exactly do we mean by “spreading”? Wherever I go and perform, locally, nationally or internationally, I’d like to believe that I am touching hearts and souls through my performances. Be it my music students or my audience, wherever it is, I pray I touch their hearts: I pray I bring them joy. And if I succeed in doing that, then it’s been worth my while.

What kind of music do you usually listen to when not playing the piano?

I’ll give you a really boring standard diplomatic answer (Laughs) I listen to everything depending on my moods, but outside of my genre on western classical music, I do really love R&B, Celtic music, and Broadway and West-End musicals, and of course, Operas Arias…I particularly relate to Operas so much coz it’s dramatic, over the top costumes, painful, romantic and surreal…  But I’ll tell you a secret – don’t tell anyone – I cry a lot listening to X Japan!!! (Laughs) and I love them…. Imagine… who would associate hard-core rock music with me… (Laughs)

Who are your favorite music artistes in the world?

Presently, to pick just one each, so Lady Gaga, X Japan, Chopin

Where do you currently work? And do you teach music in a regular music school?

I am presently the Artistic Director of RS Academia of Music performance in Dimapur, Nagaland. But in a private capacity, I also help musicians in their formal music examinations, and I’m happy to say that many of them have gone all over India and abroad for further music studies. It makes me very happy to see my students being teachers in various music institutes all over. And besides training musicians, I continue to travel and give talks about music appreciation and performance, and this brings me one of my greatest joys.

Can you share with us the most memorable performance ever

That would easily be at the Kamani auditorium in Delhi where I got my first break. It was my biggest concert after my return from Singapore. I was a struggling musician till then, then things turned for me after that. Another Kamani memorable episode happened last year. It’s unforgettable because my shoe soles came off during my performance… suddenly I felt my feet touching the cold floor and realized that the soles were missing… nevertheless, I finished the concert in my socks! (Laughs)

What is the secret mantra you’ve followed down the years?

 “Your art can only be as beautiful as your heart”; You have to be a good person first before you become a good artiste.

Teenagers and social media

Social media and the likes you receive is not a reflection of reality. Anyone who believes otherwise would be a fool. The truth is, one is never as good as one portrays oneself on social media. As a musician, I truly believe that and I don’t give much credence to the likes one receives on social media for a pre-recorded performance. A musician’s worth and value is gaged by their live performance, and how well they can perform live. For example, a singing duo who would get tens of thousands of likes on social media gave a concert… well, 3 person turned up… there you go… I couldn’t have cited a better example!

How would you describe NiseMeruno in your own words?

I don’t take NiseMeruno the person seriously; I take NiseMeruno the artiste seriously.

How has the journey been for you – from a young age to now, a successful man? Who do you think is responsible for the success you achieved?

Well, the journey has not been easy. I’m very fortunate to be where I am right now, but I have worked really hard for it. I am grateful for the opportunities my parents afforded me, but really, like everyone else, I am responsible for my own success and failure, and so, I do give credit to myself.  I have never taken things for granted. I count my blessings everyday, and I make my blessings count. But I’d be shameless if I don’t acknowledge God for his providence and provision. All in all, I’m a grateful person.

What are you presently working on and what does the rest of 2021 have in store for you?

I have a few tentative concert dates lined up, but having said that, praying and hoping that this pandemic ends. During last year’s lockdown, I came across a quote that really resonated with me, which is, “The opposite of war is not peace, it is creation (creativity).” Come what may, we should be able to create beauty out of nothingness. So really, it’s a blank canvas that’s being put up. Whatever God has in store for me, I look forward to welcoming and embracing them. I look forward to God being the Artiste of it all – the Creator of all.

Have done any new recording?

I must say 2021 has been the perfect embodiment of what I have just mentioned above. My creativity was put to test and I have never felt more productive and rewarding. In mid June I released a music video of a song I wrote Ever Joy, which is on YouTube under the channel 'Silent Reverie.' For this project I have collaborated with some amazing Artistes from Nagaland like Abdon Mech, Imliakum Aier, Iuli Yepthomi, Theja Khate and Tokaholi Chishi. The production was done was ace iolinist Nourhe Khate. I am also writing a school anthem besides my own songs. The online classes I am conducting are only getting more innovative and interesting too. There were also a number  of online events that I have been a part of and will be happening, only keeping my creative juices flowing. 

What is your message for the readers of musicunplugged ?

You may have all the talents in the world; you may work harder than anyone else in the world, but unless you have God your side, you never succeed. Always remember our Art, our talent lives WITHIN us and not around us. Happiness is a choice and we have the power to choose. Let us not grow weary with what is going on but always remain hopeful. At the end of the day we are all 'Prisoners of Hope' and that thought keeps us driven and focussed. 

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira