Nagaland’s Imnainla Jamir on bridging cultures and her ongoing tour across Southeast Asia

I am trying to keep the core of my sound consistent, but I am adapting the tone and energy depending on the audience and the venue. In India, especially at rock-heavy shows, I naturally go for a more aggressive tone with heavier gain and a lot of energy.

When I’m playing across Southeast Asia, I pay more attention to the atmosphere and the audience’s response, sometimes using a cleaner, more melodic tone and giving the music a little more space. For me, it’s really about connecting with the audience while staying true to my own identity and style. With ʼ, I’m trying to bring my performance experiences into the music, not necessarily by changing my style, but by exploring new melodies, emotions, and sounds. I think travelling has helped me grow as a musician and has given me a lot of new inspirations.

Yes, absolutely. During my tour in Bangkok, I had the opportunity to meet Petty, an Ibanez artiste from Thailand. We spent a very productive and fun time together, jamming, exchanging ideas, and sharing our musical experiences. It was really inspiring to see how our different musical backgrounds came together naturally through music. Those sessions reminded me that music has no boundaries, and collaborating with local musicians gives me a fresh perspective on rhythm, melody, tone, and improvisation. It also encouraged me to be more open to experimenting with different sounds and cultural influences, which I hope to bring into my future music.

I’ve received a warm and positive response from Southeast Asian audiences. I feel that representing Nagaland through my music, traditional elements, and attire creates a beautiful sense of curiosity and connection. People are often interested in learning more about our culture and heritage, and I’m happy that I can introduce a part of Nagaland to audiences beyond India. For me, it’s not just about performing music but it’s about carrying my identity and culture with me and showing how our traditions can beautifully co-exist with contemporary music.

As a global ambassador for MasterPeace COOLeaders, I see music as more than just entertainment. It can be a powerful tool for bringing young people together and creating awareness. Through my Southeast Asia tour, I’m trying to use my platform to connect with young musicians and communities, encourage them to believe in their own voices, and show that we can use our creativity to make a positive impact.

Environmental awareness is also something I try to include in my work, whether through conversations, social media, or activities that encourage people to care for nature. I believe young artistes have a responsibility to use their influence beyond the stage, and I hope my journey can inspire more young people to lead, create, and contribute to a better future.

One of the most meaningful parts of this tour has been meeting people who told me that seeing an Indian female guitarist perform internationally inspired them to believe that they could pursue music too. Some of them shared their own struggles and dreams with me, and those conversations really stayed with me.

For me, the most rewarding thing is knowing that my journey can encourage even one young musician to pick up a guitar, keep learning, and believe in themselves. Those connections remind me why I love performing and why I want to keep using music to inspire the next generation.

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