Not Funny Band Brings Funky Vibes and Cultural Fusion on 18th Day of Tribal Future Fest

On the 18th day of the Tribal Futures Fest, the renowned band Not Funny from Ukhrul, Manipur, joined the session to showcase and discuss their creative journey. Known for their quirky touch and humorous backstories behind their productions, the four-member band—comprising vocalist Wungramthing Shimray, lead guitarist Soringthing Raihing, bassist Kachuimi Luithui, and drummer Wotsa—engaged in an insightful discussion moderated by Dilit Dhan.

During the session, lead vocalist Wungramthing Shimray shared that the band was founded in 2019 with the goal of encouraging people to pursue their passions. He explained that the members, originally associated with different bands, united to compete in the 2019 'Manipur Idol'. Their first music video, Dance With Me, released six months ago, has since garnered over 100K views on YouTube.

Not Funny has released five songs to date, including Dance with Me (2020), Unfamiliar Feelings (2021), Namangli, Long Days, Walk Through, and Unfamiliar Things. Their music often reflects deep emotions, with Dance with Me delving into unspoken feelings, while Unfamiliar Feelings captures the essence of love at first sight. During the session, the band showcased two of their songs, Namangli and Walk Through, followed by a Q&A session where the audience had the opportunity to interact with the band members. Questions revolved around their songwriting process, future projects, and the significance of their native identity in their music.

In Image(From left to right) : Not funny band members : Wotsa(drummer), Wungramthing Shimray (vocalist), KachuimiLuithui (bassist) and Soringthing Raihing(lead guitarist) 

The band is known for focusing on beats and lyrics, giving each song a funky, fresh vibe. While they haven’t yet released an album, their latest single, Walk Through, explores finding hope during tough times and the lessons learned through pain. The band hopes that this release will open doors for them on a larger platform. Their goal is to introduce something new to the Northeast Indian music scene by embracing the lesser-explored Indie Pop Rock genre, aiming to captivate both young and older audiences alike.

Throughout the session, Not Funny discussed their efforts to honor their cultural heritage while experimenting with modern musical styles, offering a unique perspective on the evolving music scene in the region. They highlighted the challenges and joys of blending the old with the new, sharing their artistic vision and the messages they wish to convey through their work. The session offered an intimate insight into how the band uses music as a vehicle to express cultural identity and connect with wider audiences, all while staying true to their roots.

Every session of Tribal Futures brings forth new creative young people from tribal communities across India whose work inspires and engages the audience. This unique month-long event showcases the work of a new generation of tribal youth on cultural, social, traditional, and educational issues. 

The Tribal Futures Festival, an initiative by the Tribal Design Forum, is a month-long celebration of International World Indigenous Day, highlighting contemporary tribal creativity and imagination.