By Nabarun Goswami
SHILLONG: One of the most unique features of the unique sacred forests in Meghalaya is the uninterrupted typical sound heard inside such forests.
A group of environment enthusiasts has tapped this quality of the sacred groves to project them to the outside world as well as bring awareness in the State about the need to preserve and protect the unique natural resources.
The group, Desire Machine Collective, explores a new language, as it says, one of silence and yet so vocal and expressive.
Sonal Jain and Mriganka Madhukaillya of the group, who already took the ambience of Law Kyntang, a sacred forest in Mawphlang, to as far as Germany, demonstrated their project at the Sikkim Manipal University campus here installing a unique soundscape for a few hours on Wednesday.
The theme “Trespassers will (not) be prosecuted” was aptly named as, the group reasons, the concept about the project is that it has not hurt the very essence of the sacred forest, where entry is restricted and no activities are allowed.
“Sound perhaps is the only thing which could convey the liveliness and calm spirit of the area without taking anything physically from the place,” Jain said, adding, “it signifies that people are welcome to experience the abundance and tranquillity of nature.”
“We want to show our work in Meghalaya and reiterate the uniqueness of the sacred forest thereby creating an opinion on environmental issues in the State,” Jain said.
The project intends to showcase the serene ambience of the sacred forests around the globe by method of soundscape installation at public places so as to make the urban-folks aware of the importance of natural resources.
After showcasing their work in Deutsche Guggenheim Museum in Berlin, the group brought it back to Shillong, the place of its origin.
When asked as to why they chose the sacred forest, Jain replied that the forest was unique both in terms of its density and the way it was conserved.
“It’s the community involvement and local beliefs in safeguarding the forest that makes it truly unique than any other,” Jain added.
Desire Machine Collective has also been invited to display their piece in New York and Rome.
When asked about the message they were trying to convey, Jain said they are artistes and not activists and the only thing they are trying to create is a ‘false-memory’ of the sacred forests in the minds of the people so as to assert its existence.
Meanwhile, secretary of Hima Mawphlang, Tambor Lyngdoh said the locals supported the project as it showcases a piece of Meghalaya to the world.
“To take free of cost and more importantly distribute it free of cost without hurting nature is what makes the work really special,” Lyngdoh added.