If you love the soothing music of a piano, you should add Nise Meruno to your playlist. Meruno is from Dimapur, Nagaland. Surprised? 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.

Meruno first sat at the piano at the age of six, and since then it has been a journey between him and the ivory keys. Meruno’s connection with classical music is deep-rooted; his great-grandmother was trained by missionaries to play the piano, and his father is a classical guitarist. Besides his own compositions, he also performs songs from music soundtracks, pop and rock ditties.

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. “There is so much music talent, they need good teachers,” he says, adding that he wants to start a community choir where families can come and spend the day tinkering with music. “I do not always sing Gospel music, but I am careful about what I sing. I write school anthems, even the Hornbill theme song is my composition”.

A few years ago, Meruno was approached by Yamaha to endorse their musical products. “Maybe because I look a little Japanese,” jokes the 37 year old. Meruno is also Brand Ambassador of AKG Microphones, Austria. Currently, he is working as the Artistic Director at RS Academia of Music Performance at Dimapur, Nagaland.

With a religious bent of mind, Meruno always knew he wanted to be a musician. “I wanted to be a performer. I wanted to travel the world, perform, meet people, do workshops and it’s amazing how God has brought that dream to me” signs off the musician. 

Look out for an exclusive interview with Nise Meruno coming soon on www.musicunplugged.in

By Verus Ferreira