Saturday, November 23, 2024
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Shillong Jottings

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MaDi MaDi

There was never any doubt that Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) are a versatile lot. But the latest song in Malayalam, ” Madi Madi” which can be seen on Youtube is simply amazing. William Richmond Basaiawmoit and Ibarisha Lyngdoh two of the SCC’s soloists, make an excellent duo and match each other beat for beat even while the rest of the choir join the chorus animatedly. This song, recorded in Mumbai and with support from Slumdog millionaire Oscar winner Resool Kutty, might soon become the signature theme for the North East and spread to other parts of the country. Its tune is catchy and watching it is a pleasure. MaDi MaDi has already got thousands of hits and continues to be heard by people of all ages. It comes very close to Kolaveri Di although the two have nothing in common except that they were shown being shot in music studious.

Calendar

The DIPR calendars are selling like hot cakes from a counter at the DIPR Office at Lower Lachaumiere. The calendars which were on sale from January 17 have drawn huge crowds to the counter. The counter price of these calendars – single page and multi-page – is Rs5 and Rs40, respectively. However, vendors outside the DIPR Office are selling them at a premium (Rs30 (single page) and Rs75 (multi-page)) as always. But the further away one goes from the DIPR’s office the cheaper these calendars get. They are available at Rs20 and Rs50, respectively. Funnily, many do not know that these calendars are also available at the DIPR office a stone’s throw away at a lesser rate. With child labour rampant in the State several street children are also selling these calendars. The multi-page calendar is much better this year than last year. There are photographs of some of the breathtaking scenic beauty of the State some so rare that they have never been seen before. The calendar is quite informative and seems quite like a tourist’s souvenir. Perhaps this is a god take-away from Meghalaya if it is available at the leading hotels and information centers.

Audience etiquette

Meghalaya day saw a wonderful musical performance from a little known band from distant Umsyiem. They enthralled the audience with Beautiful Sunday, Lapaloma Blanca and Khynriam U Pnar U Bhoi U War. But coming at the fag end of the 2-hour long programme the musicians could not hold the interest of the audience who were shivering in the cold. (many complained that the least that could have been done was to heat up the Soso Tham auditorium). A senior bureaucrat with a penchant for good music was upset to see the audience leaving midway. He said people here do not have a culture of respecting performers. Nowhere else will people leave in the midst of a performance which is an insult to the artistes! Are Shillongites listening?

Artificial turf

As far as sports lovers in Meghalaya are concerned the artificial turf in the JN Stadium is the biggest achievement of the MUA government and the Sports and Youth Affairs Department in particular. This conversation was overheard at the JN Stadium on Sunday from an excited crowd that watched home team Lajong take on Dempo on the beautifully laid green turf. The turf which came at a cost of Rs 5.13 crores has raised the stature of Shillong in the football world. Shillong already has two turfs (one in the field adjacent to the JN Stadium). It is learnt from Department sources that two more artificial turfs would be laid this year, one for Tura and another for Jowai. Provided by the company Fieldturf from USA, similar turfs from the same company have been provided to Sikkim, Mizoram and the Salt lake stadium in West Bengal.

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