Mon Sergelling and Mon Rigshung Sergelling: more than just singing competitions

(Tongam Rina)

TAWAN, November 1: Dawa Tsering from Jhang, a 17-year-old, is one of 48 singers aiming to win Mon Sergeling, a hugely popular singing competition that is closely watched not only in the Mon region of West Kameng and Tawang, but also beyond.

Inspired by his older brother Padang Tsering, he successfully auditioned for this year’s competition. The shy and polite boy told me that he had to brush up on his Monpa singing skills because he would have to sing in his mother tongue as well as Hindi. It shouldn’t be too difficult for Dawa as Arijit Singh is his favorite Hindi singer and his favorite genre is contemporary Monpa songs.

It is not just Mon Sergelling that captivates listeners, which features contemporary Monpa songs and Hindi songs; The competition of traditional folk songs “Mon Rigshung Sergelling” also aroused great interest.

Mon Rigshung Sergelling is credited with popularizing folk songs among the younger generation and reviving interest among older audiences. “It has helped revive folk songs,” says Tsanpa Norbu, chairman of the singing competition. Fifteen folk singers take part in Mon Rigshung Sergelling, performing Monpa folk songs, which are known for being difficult to learn and unique. The number of participants is growing steadily.

Norbu notes that the increase in the number of participants is significant compared to the first season, which had only five participants. Now folk singers are being trained at the Monpa Institute of Performing Arts (MIPA) and many talented artists have emerged.

The songs cover themes of marriage, rituals and life cycles, while dance dramas such as “Yak Cham” and “Aji Lhamo” showcase the versatility of the artistes.

There will be 12 episodes over 45 days, with singers from both categories divided into four houses, each with two mentors. There is no public voting; judging is carried out exclusively by a group of five famous artists in each segment, which eliminates the possibility of vote rigging. Among the judges is Jambay Tutan, a famous folk singer.

Now in its fourth season, the competition is held every three years, although there was a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and the election. The first three seasons were organized by the Monyul Film Federation, but now the Monpa Artists Forum is responsible for organizing the fourth season at the Jung Sports Club. Of the 48 participants, five from each category will place in the top five, and three from each will advance to the grand final, which promises to be as interesting and entertaining as the previous competitions.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu is the patron of the singing competition and conceived it with the aim of reviving folk songs in the Mon region, Norbu said.

How is this competition different from dozens of other singing competitions across the state?

Dorjee Gyaltsang, a singer and composer who won the first Mon Sergeling, says such events are needed to promote singing among the younger generation, noting that folk songs are becoming fewer and far between. “We need to revive the dying folk singing culture,” he says.

As a result of Mon Rigshung Sergelling, folk albums are released and young people learn to sing folk songs. “Also, the prize money is attractive,” says Norbu.

The prize money is Rs 5 lakh for the winner and Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh for the runners-up along with consolation prizes. It’s not just the prize money that’s attractive; Some of the contestants became household names in the state.

Thupten Tashi has toured the world performing and Indian Idol contestant Thumpten Tsering enjoys wide popularity. Many of them also participated in Arunachal Idol.

“Whether I win or not, it’s a huge platform to meet and learn from other singers and mentors who have years of experience,” Dawa says. Singing competitions can propel many up-and-coming singers like Dawa to stardom and open up new opportunities.

They also serve as a platform for interaction with traditions and help revive folk singing, making it popular among the younger generation.