MUMBAI: In a defining moment for India’s independent music scene, singer-songwriter Abdon Mech from Nagaland brought the voice of the Northeast to the world stage as he represented India at the prestigious Artisjus Songbook Camp 2025 in Budapest. A collaboration of global music creators, the camp became a melting pot of genres, cultures, and artistic vision—where Abdon’s authenticity, rooted in the hills of Dimapur, struck a powerful chord.
For an artist who began writing songs from his small room in university, and who had no formal backing but a deep belief in his truth, this was more than a music camp—it was a dream unfolding in real-time.
“I’ve always believed in telling my story honestly—of a boy from a small village writing music in his room, with no flash or façade. And to see that story resonate halfway across the world? It was surreal,” says Abdon, reflecting on his experience.
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At the Songbook Camp, artists from across the globe—representing styles from Japanese pop to Afro beats, Hungarian folk to Indian indie—collaborated to create original tracks daily, culminating in high-energy listening sessions where creativity had no borders. In this unique crucible of music, Abdon not only co-wrote tracks but also penned the anthem for the globally renowned Sziget Festival, alongside artists from Budapest.
“It was like building bridges through beats. There were 30 of us from different corners of the world, but music made us one family,” he shares.
Abdon’s presence was more than symbolic—it marked a growing movement of Indian independent artists breaking the mould and stepping into global consciousness, not as mimics of the West, but as authentic voices of India’s creative heartland. His roots in Nagaland, a region known for its rich musical tradition and natural flair for melody, added depth and nuance to the songs he co-created at the camp.
“Nagas are blessed with music. There’s a guitar in every home. But now, fans in Nagaland aren’t just listening—they’re showing up, buying tickets, merch, and building a homegrown music economy,” he says with pride.
The International Songbook Camp, organized by Artisjus, Hungarian non-profit organisation for the collective management of the rights of composers, lyricists and music publishers, became a vibrant melting pot, celebrating cultural exchange, sonic diversity, and artistic collaboration. For Abdon, it also meant connecting with international festival directors, producers, and artists—relationships that could bloom into future collaborations.
“This is the first time in Nagaland’s music history that we’re seeing this kind of potential for scale. It’s slow, but it’s happening. We already have the talent; we just needed the right platforms,” he adds.
One of those platforms was provided by the Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS), who along with the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Government of Nagaland, championed Abdon’s participation in the camp. This isn’t just an individual story—it’s a powerful example of how Indian copyright bodies and collectives, along with organizations like TaFMA that are dedicated to promoting art and music at the regional level, can act as true enablers of Indian soft power, exporting the sound and soul of India far beyond its borders.
“Credit where it’s due—IPRS is leading the charge in creating global opportunities for Indian artists, especially those from underrepresented regions like Nagaland,” Abdon says. “They’ve turned accessibility, once our biggest hurdle, into our biggest hope.”
Through experiences like the Artisjus Songbook Camp, Indian music isn’t just traveling—it’s transforming. These collaborations are not just about beats and lyrics. They’re about showcasing the power of stories, languages, identities, and emotional truths—and how Indian music, in all its diversity, has a role to play on the global stage.
In a world where music is increasingly borderless, Abdon’s participation at the international songwriting camp reminds us of what’s possible when talent from India’s rich musical tapestry meets opportunity.
As he returns home to Nagaland, Abdon carries with him not just songs, but seeds of global dreams—ones that will grow louder with every beat from the Northeast.
