Music of Mizoram

Mizoram is a region in India. Its folk music consists of vocals (singing) accompanied by traditional drums, gong and other native percussion instruments.

Etymology

The Mizo people traditionally did not possess a precise word or collective term for music. Terminologies related to music were applied on an individual basis for each instrument. The term Rimawi was coined by B. Thanmawia, Deputy Director General of All India Radio, in 1966 during a programme. Since then, music in the Mizo language has been termed rimawi. The term rimawi does not necessarily include songs and dance. Rimawi itself is of two syllables where Ri means sound and mawi means melodious or beautiful.

History

Early History

It is difficult to trace the origin and to arrange the chronological sequences of the heritage of Mizo Music. However, some couplets were developed during the settlement of Thantlang in Burma, estimated between 1300-1400 AD. As recorded by B. Lalthangliana, the folk songs developed during this period were dar hla (songs on gong); Bawh hla (War chants), Hlado (Chants of hunting); Nauawih hla (Cradle songs) A greater development of songs can be seen from the settlement of Lentlang in Burma, estimated between late 15th to 17th Century AD.

Traditional music

In precolonial times, the Mizos used the drum, gong and mouth organ made of gourd and bamboo as musical instruments.

Modern music

With adoption of Christianity, musical instruments other than the drum lost their appeal. The first Musical instrument to enter Mizoram was the mouth organ brought in by Mrs Fraser in 1907. Mr Vankhama, a well known composer was influential in popularizing the guitar in Mizoram.

Classification

The Mizos have a traditional way of classifying their folk songs. A study of their folksongs on the basis of their own system of classification shows that the Mizos have about one hundred different types of folksongs.

Musical Instruments

From time immemorial, the Mizo have been using different musical instruments. Even though we cannot date the origin, the "Mizo of Kabaw Valley during late 10th to 13th century AD had developed their music as nearly as they have done today".

Gongs

Mizo gongs and some variations appear to be Burmese in origin, and therefore, it is tempting to conclude according to Lalthangliana, that the Mizo people got them from the Burmese while they were living in the Kabaw Valley from the 9th to 13th century AD.

Darbu

A darbu is a set of three mdeium sized brass gongs which produce three distinct notes. In most cases, each gong is played by an expert. In some cases the two gongs can be tied by rope around one's body and played against each other. These gongs were typically possesed by a chief or an influential upa. The darbu is utilised in most festivals or important events. In the modern day, the darbu is used for dances like Khuallum and Cheraw.

Darkhuang

A traditional Darkhuang

The Darkhuang is the biggest gong among Mizo instruments. There is no standardized size for the Darkhuang. The biggest Darkhuang in Mizoram measured at 31 inches in diameter and is kept in the Mizoram State Museum. Darkhuang is typiclaly made of brass and was considered a luxury few individuals could afford. The origins of the Darkhuang are not known. However, Lianhmingthanga argues that it emerged from Burma. Apart from music and festivals, the Darkhuang was used for calling meetings, Church congregations, an alarm for impending raids or wild beasts.

Darmang

Darmang is the smallest type of gong. It has no effect without other gongs or instruments but is used in traditional dances to keep timing. It produces a smaller sound than other gongs and is beaten in two ways to produce two sounds depending on how it is held.

Darbenthek

Darbenthek is a pair of brass gongs of equal size that is played together by clapping them. It is typically used in festivals.

Tingtang

The Tingtang is a stringed instrument which was played like a violin. Nowdayas the word refers to guitar. The tingtang was made from a hollow gourd with a fixed bamboo shaft. The hollow gourd is cut open and covered with the dry bladder of an animal. The string is made from Malay Sago palm and is tied to both ends of the bamboo shaft. The tingtang is played by rubbing the strings with a thin piece of bamboo like a violin. The origin of the tingtang is not known. A folk story is associated with the possible origin.

The story narrates that a blind woman named Chhunruii met a man named Thinglanga who made tingtangs and played them. However, due to his fearful reputation, no one would approach him apart from Chhunruii, who was blind. Chhunruii thus learnt how to make and produce a tingtang. She would roam the village and play the tingtang during the time the Mizos lived in the Kabaw Valley. Chhunruii's songs became known as Chhunruii Zai. Due to her blindness Chhunruii was given dresses in which she composed songs in return. The Tingtang was popularised after Chhunruii's death. However, it declined and became obsolete into disuse with the introduction of the Hawaiian, Spanish, and electric guitars.

Wind Instruments

The Mizo have six varieties of wind instruments such as Rawchhem, Tumphit, Mautawtawrawl, Phenglawng, Buhchangkuang, Hnahtum.

Rawchhem

The rawchhem is the traditional Mizo bag pipe. It was produced with a dry hollow gourd with nine bamboo tubes of varying sizes and lengths inserted into it. Five of these bamboo tubes would be separated from the rest on the gourd's surface. Both groups of five and four would be tied together slightly and slanting outwards. Different notes would be played on the rawchhem via the placement of fingers over the holes of the tubes.

Artistes

Classic Artistes

Lallianmawia Pachuau	CFL Hmingthanga	Lalṭanpuia Tochhawng	H. Lalṭhakima
C. Lalrinmawia	K. Lalchamliana	Liandailova Chhangte	Lalsangzuali Sailo

Female Artistes

Daduhi	Liandingpuii	Zoramchhani	Sp-i
Mami Varte	Vanhlupuii	C. Luri	Vanlalruati

Male Artistes

Vanlalsailova

Michael M Sailo

Joseph Zaihmingthanga

Contemporary Mizo Artistes

• K.C. Runremsangi has been called the "Queen Of Mizo Folk Song". Her awards include the Padma Shri in 2023.
• SaiWanah - his song Ka Pa Khuma won "Song of the Year 2023" from Thazual and Lelte. The song features Mary Dawngi and tells the story of a character named Khuma, who is seen by society as living a 'wretched life,' yet he finds happiness in his simple life with his farm animals.
• Kimkima
• Young Fella - awarded the "Best Male Artist 2023" at the 9th Thazual Awards.
• Rebecca Lallawmsangi
• Sangteii Khuptong

Bibliography

• Thangliana, B., Mizo Literature.
• Lalruanga, A study on Mizo Folk Literature.
• Zawla, K., Mizo Pipute leh an Thlahte Chanchin.
• Lalthangliana, B., History of Mizo in Burma.
• Lianhmingthanga, Material culture of the Mizo, 1998.
• Thanmawia, B., Mizo and Music, Mizoram News Magazine, Autumn Issue, 1985, p. 12
• McKenzie, Kathryn, Chhinlung Magazine.

External links

• [1] History of Mizoram Music

Sources

• Lalthangliana, B. (1975). History of Mizo In Burma. Mandalay: Arts and Science University Mandalay. Retrieved 9 February 2025.

• Lalthangliana, B. (1993). History of Mizo Literature. Mizoram: M.C. Lalrinthanga.

• Lianhmingthanga (1998). Material Culture of the Mizo. Mizoram: Tribal Research Institute.

• Pachuau, Joy; Schendel, William Van (2015). The Camera as Witness. Cambridge. ISBN 9781107073395.

• Zawla, K. (1964). Mizo Pi Pute leh an thlahte Chanchin. Aizawl: Gosen Press. Retrieved 5 March 2025.