JAMBILI - Reviving Folk Song

Jambili is a folk-rock band that was formed mainly to preserve and bring back Karbi folk songs that were almost forgotten by the people from district Diphu in Assam. The idea to form a band was conceived when school friends came together and played for the first time, trying to bring back the folk songs that were almost forgotten.

- VERUS FERREIRA

Daniel Engty Kathar of Excruciator fame whose songs are very popular among fans of all ages and has also played with Grammy-nominated band from Dimapur, Abiogenesis, which has performed in Thailand, Russia, Bhutan and Myanmar, is the force behind Jambili. He brought together a few friends and formed the band in 2007. Daniel also played a role in the Abiogenesis Films Enter My World as an Ahom warrior.

Their current line-up comprises Daniel Engty on vocals/kum dengdong/flute /guitars/krongchui (jaws harp), Thong Timungon vocals/Chenkpi/Chenkso/Chenk buruk (all traditional drums)/kum li eng, Talo Tisso on guitars/vocals/ chenkpi, Sarlongki Teron on bass guitar/vocals and Sar-im Tisso on drums/chenkburuk/vocals. VERUS FERREIRA had a telephone chat with the band members. Excerpts.

Can you tell us how the band was formed?