Singer-songwriter Abdon Mech, hailing from Dimapur, Nagaland, represented India at the Artisjus Songbook Camp 2025 in Budapest—an international collaborative space for music creators from around the world.
Organized by Artisjus, Hungary’s collective rights management organization, the songwriting camp brought together artists working across a wide range of genres, including Japanese pop, Afro beats, Hungarian folk, and Indian indie.
Mech, whose songwriting journey began in a university dorm room, joined 30 artists from across the globe to co-create original songs during the multi-day camp. One of the highlights of his participation was co-writing the official anthem for the Sziget Festival, one of Europe’s leading music festivals.
“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. To see that story resonate halfway across the world was surreal,” said Mech, reflecting on his experience.
The camp’s structure involved daily songwriting sessions followed by listening events where collaborators shared their creations. For Mech, it was both a professional milestone and a rare opportunity to connect with producers, festival curators, and fellow songwriters from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Backed by The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) and Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Government of Nagaland, Mech’s presence at the Songbook Camp marked a growing shift in the visibility of Indian independent artists on the global stage—particularly those from regions that have traditionally been underrepresented in the music industry.
“This is the first time in Nagaland’s music history that we’re seeing this kind of potential for scale,” Mech noted. “We already have the talent; we just needed the right platforms.”
Mech emphasized how support from organizations like IPRS and TaFMA has helped overcome the accessibility challenges many independent artists face. Their backing not only facilitated his participation at the camp but also represented a broader effort to elevate Indian music through international exchange.
“Nagas are blessed with music. There’s a guitar in every home. But now fans aren’t just listening—they’re buying tickets, showing up, and contributing to a homegrown music economy,” he added.
Mech’s involvement is part of a wider movement of Indian artists engaging in global creative ecosystems not as imitators, but as contributors with distinct voices rooted in local culture. Through experiences like Songbook Camp, Indian music—particularly from the Northeast—is finding space in international conversations, not only through sound but through stories and identities.
As Mech returns to Nagaland, he carries new collaborations, visibility, and a growing network—elements that could further bridge the gap between regional talent and international stages.
Abdon Mech participation in the Artisjus Songbook Camp 2025 isn’t just a personal win—it’s a cultural breakthrough. It’s a message to every indie artist sitting with a guitar in their bedroom: your story matters. From the heart of Nagaland to the heart of Europe, music is creating bridges where there were once walls. And artists like Mech are leading the way—honest, raw, and proud of where they come from.
