SHILLONG: City-based band ‘Summersalt’ started off as a backyard band before graduating into the stage to enthrall Shillongites and now they are all set to rock Bollywood with their songs from the movie Rock On!! 2.
The Shillong Times spoke to the vocalist/acoustic guitarist of the band, Kitkupar Shangpliang, on how it feels as the release date of the movie is scheduled for November 11. “We are excited that the movie will be released not because it includes the Summersalt song. The excitement is that for the first time music from the Khasi Hills will be heard in Bollywood and through Bollywood the world will come to know of us.”
Stating that there is a new wave of talent in the North East, Shangpliang said there has never been a dearth of talent in the region though it was overlooked by mainland India for decades. “The future is not bleak as there is so much talent in the North East. Noted and renowned filmmakers, artists etc from Bollywood visit every nook and corner of the country as we have seen new talents come up in the industry,” he added.
The band that has rocked their way to Rock On!! 2 is known for using home tools to make music, like the traditional Khasi rain shield (knup) and other items used by the indigenous people. The band is gratified that the essence of sound and songs from the Khasi Hills will find a place in Bollywood and hopefully will get international recognition.
“There will be a time when the soulful songs from the hills of the North East will make it there,” Shangpliang said. Advocating the need for a cultural exchange, Shangpliang said, “It should be music for a purpose and we look forward for a cultural exchange. The world will not only know about Delhi or Mumbai but about the North East.”
He added that the North East has it all ranging from the caves of Meghalaya, the river island of Assam, the snow-capped mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, the diverse culture of Manipur to the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.
According to him, the world should not only turn its eyes to the North East for the abundant treasure of hidden talent but to wander around the breathtaking places that the region has to offer.
