By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Upholding the true cultural background and traditional culture, Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong said traditional rendition of Khasi folk dance, songs and music needs to be enriched, improved and branched out.
“With the change of time, the need to change the rendition of the Khasi folk songs also arises but without forgetting the roots and cultural background”, Lanong said.
He was addressing a gathering at the musical evening “Ka lympung ki sur tynrai” organized by All India Radio, Shillong in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Friday.
“Majority of people especially the youth would prefer the kinds of modern music that will suit their ears thereby dwindling our traditional music”, he lamented adding that there is a need to re-define traditional folk songs while keeping the traditional roots and identity intact.
Highlighting that traditional folk music forms the roots of our culture, Lanong said such traditional folk songs are now confined to few people who still live and perform such music. Therefore there is a need to preserve, promote and enrich such music.
While, appreciating the efforts of the AIR, Shillong and the department of Arts and Culture, Deputy Chief Minister B M Lanong said that these two departments not only preserve the music but also helps in enriching the culture through such music. Artists from across the state took part at the musical evening.