Azhove: Meet the Tangkhul Naga Shimray who became an overnight sensation

No matter in which age just follows and you will succeed: Homsing Shimray

Homsing Ronra Shimray a Tangkhul Naga from Ukhrul, Manipur has become an overnight sensation after making his presence in the social media with his voice after his blind audition at “The Voice of Germany” that saw him performing “Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park.

He managed to impress Judge Andreas Bourani during the blind auditions of a music show ‘The Voice of Germany, season six’.

Meet the Tangkhul Naga Mr Shimray who became an overnight sensation

Yet unlike the ordinary person, Shimray did not even own a guitar before the show, but that didn’t let him down but he went on to win the heart of the audience as he performed ‘Shadow of the day’ on the stage.

Shimray resides in Karlsruhe City in Germany, who makes a living working at the company called Spedition logistic, a warehouse for export and import of goods.

The 39-year-old Shimray is a father of three kids who was married to a German but later got divorced in 2013.

“My life changed after my divorce... not knowing what and how to go on... but I had my good friends (pastors) who always encouraged me helping me with my spiritual life.

Shimray also laments he is not permitted to visit his kid often because of the Germany law after divorce and has been living alone for a while in his apartment, he says “seeing my kids every after 14 days, that’s a tough life, Germany laws”

Music has been part and parcel of his life; he started to take a keen interest in singing at the early and he did perform his first show in the school when he was seven years old. On music, he said “Music is something which was and is in my blood from the time I could understand”

On asked if his family was supportive enough of his music career, Shimray said “Family and friends are my biggest fans without them I could not move forward... it’s just that we are not from a well-off family we all just try out things with what we have. I never had my own guitar. But I was never disappointed.”

On asked why he was a late bloomer with his music, “I keep on moving even though I know it’s going to be a long process. But then after getting married I thought it’s over... I rarely have time for my own. Use to play and lead worship in our local church... but could not go on further. Everything new began after departing with my ex- wife ” says Shimray.

On his journey to Germany, he says “I got married to a German woman. We met in India during our Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Youth with a Mission (YWAM), got married and stayed in India for few years. When our first son was born she wanted to go to Germany promising to return back after some years but after we reached Germany in the year 2007 we never came back again until now.”

As a father, he wanted to show his kids never give up and follow their dreams and that age doesn’t matter when it comes to talent. “The reason I went to the voice of Germany is I want to be a good example for my kids that when you have your dream, you should never give up. To reach what you dream of-needs faith and endurance. No matter in which age-just follow and you will succeed,” says Shimray. He also said after he joined The Voice, he started to try pop and rock music.

Credit- Prosieben / Sat1. / Rechard Heubner

As fate favoured him, after his impressive audition, Shimray shared the crowd joining in chorus with the birthday song to wish him that gave him the feeling of ‘the happiest man alive at that moment’.

On being in the show, he said “The voice of Germany has changed my whole view of music, coming up to this level of world music. At first i thought i made it but to be in the music bussiness needs a strong patient attitude and you slowly realise the music you thought it may bring you so far just ends up nowhere but when you want to be in music business”

On Nagas, he said “We are not so far from it but there some things we need to change mentally and socially. Nagas have many gifted and talented musicians and singers... almost everyone is born to sing. “

“I am hoping someday I will uplift the younger generation who wants and willing to join in the music world.”