TURA: The A’chik Literature Society (ALS) is making efforts to revive and re-popularise the traditional musical instruments of the Garos as well as the tribe’s language inherited from forefathers.
This was informed by its President, Caroline R Marak during the inauguration of the A’chik traditional musical instruments workshop on Monday at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School premises. Addressing the participants Marak said that the aim was to familiarise the youths with various traditional instruments of the A’chiks and urged them to take the workshop seriously.
Principal of the host school, Fr Albert Thyrniang spoke about the immense value of the traditional musical instruments as a part of Garo culture and highlighted the importance of preserving them as well as the language.
Dewal M Sangma of Rombagre who instructed the participants emphasized the need to maintain discipline and concentrate on learning. He observed that the participants can perform well if they give their heart and soul to acquire the skill.
During the workshop the participants were taught the art of playing sarenda, dotdrong, all varieties of flutes, dama, and chigring. The art of making chigring out of wa’da bamboo will also be taught to the participants during the workshop.
Participants also witnessed a performance on chigring and dotdrong by a local cultural group Pinggira.
Other instructors during the workshop include Ringjeng T Sangma of Selbalgre and Dirot Ch Marak of Gondenggre. Altogether 47 (fortyseven) participants registered for the workshop.