From Our Correspondent
Williamnagar: The three-day Simsang Winter Festival came to a glittering end late Friday night with Shillong’s three-member band Dosser’s Urge walking away with the prize money of Rs 1 lakh defeating seven other bands to reach the top.
The event also witnessed the largest gathering of people for any festival in Garo Hills in recent times. Over ten thousand people from different corners of the district including Tura thronged the venue of the rock show at Rongrenggre for the grand finale.
The atmosphere was electrified by the performances of the eight bands which made it to the finals- Restless Desire (Tura), Titans (Tura), Labyrinth of Hope (Williamnagar), Dosser’s Urge (Shillong), Rise of the Fallen Art (Shillong), Street Stories (Shillong), Warlock (Tura) and Midnight Garden Factor (Shillong).
Excited with the massive turnout for the event, a jubilant R G Lyngdoh termed the show the biggest platform for up-coming rock musicians of the state, and nothing of this scale has ever been organized in the Meghalaya. Lyngdoh also took the stage and enthralled the audience with his harmonica playing.
The contest was judged by Montaben S. Marak (Lead Guitarist, Rough Roads), Muz P. Marak (former vocalist of Adremelech), Browny R. Marak (Lead Vocalist,
RipRap), Pankaj Mishra (Lead Guitarist for bands such as Holocaust, Purple Flower, East India Company, Chocolate Cigarettes and DNA Indian Rock Idol judge) and R. G. Lyngdoh (former member of bands such as The Great Society and Mojo and current Chairman, Meghalaya Rural Development Society). It was a Woodstock in the making at Williamnagar with live viewing on two giant screens, laser lighting and smoke screens being displaced in this eastern part of Garo Hills for the first time.Dosser’s Urge from Shillong, former Meghalaya Icon Winners, were adjudged as the best band. Two other bands, Midnight Garden Factor (MGF) and Restless Desire tied for the second place. In the individual performance categories, the winners were Gideon from Dosser’s Urge – best drummer, Rupert of MGF – best bassist, Bari of MGF – Best Guitarist, each winning a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. The best vocalist prize was also split between Tengchu Salrik of Restless Desire and Freddie of MGF, each taking home Rs 5,000.