By Patricia Mukhim
“The Shillong Chamber Choir have come a long way since the first batch performed to a select audience at Pinewood Hotel in 2001. The moment Neil lay his fingers on the keys something came alive and there was no looking back. True, some members of that first batch have moved on but others joined and have remained steadfast for over a decade now.”
Much has been written about our very own musical star, Neil Nongkynrih who passed away on Tuesday last. In the digital world, news takes wings and transcends geographical boundaries. Condolences started pouring in and each member of the Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) had to set aside their personal grief and loss on hold to respond to the messages and queries. The SCC have been in Mumbai since September last to record their magnum opus – a Gospel album under the direction of world-renowned British composer, arranger, orchestrator and conductor in the commercial music field, Nick Ingman. The SCC are witness to many miracles in their lives. One such miracle happened when Nick Ingman offered to do his work pro bono because he was won over by the candour, simplicity and purity of their voices which never fails to captivate the listener. But above all Ingman was deeply inspired by Neil’s versatility as a musician.
Neil’s tryst with music happened early in life. It was his passion and he found no meaning in pursuing anything else. That’s called single-minded devotion. He was fortunate to find sponsors in the UK who supported his journey into the world of music until he returned home in 2001 an accomplished pianist whose fingers work magic on the piano keys. There’s nothing more captivating than to watch Neil at the piano. The passion is visible and palpable. That’s the power of music!
The Shillong Chamber Choir have come a long way since the first batch performed to a select audience at Pinewood Hotel in 2001. The moment Neil lay his fingers on the keys something came alive and there was no looking back. True, some members of that first batch have moved on but others joined and have remained steadfast for over a decade now. Neil’s ability to stitch together the Choir and to nurture them musically, physically and above all spiritually takes a special gift. This aspect is not much known outside of Whispering Pines. For the casual onlooker it appears like everything is hunky dory but only Neil knows how much sweat and tears it has taken to keep afloat a ship with a dozen young people with only music as a common goal but with personalities that were poles apart. Yet the Choir succeeds essentially because it puts music above all else and knows that the harmony in singing comes from a pure soul.
A visit to Whispering Pines is like a pilgrimage from which one always comes away feeling blessed. There is palpable sense of being welcomed and loved; many listening ears and compassionate care.. I recall an occasion in 2013 when the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had called a 36-hour bandh to protest the visit of the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. An organisation named ICARE (Informed Conscious Responsible Existence) of which I was a part, organised a protest meet at Khyndailad. The meet was to provide a platform to daily wage earners to register their protests. Several women domestic workers and daily wage earners used that platform to register their grievance against what they said was their right to work. Neil and the Shillong Chamber Choir were present at that meet to lend their support to ICARE and to the women who took the microphone one by one and spoke up. It was then that the song, “Ko Ri Baieid Jongnga” was born in Neil’s heart. He was touched by the poor women who stood up to speak fearlessly. It has taken many years before the song was released this year.
During the 2018 imbroglio at Them Metor (Punjabi Lane) when several residents from there fled their homes for fear of being attacked and were provided shelter at the Garrison Ground by the army. Neil who personally knew the then GOC, 101 Area General DS Ahuja, called him up and persuaded him to ensure that all those who took shelter at the Ground, particularly the women and children were safe. Gen Ahuja assured him that no harm would befall those who had taken refuge there. Neil loved his own people but was tormented by the intolerance and communalism he witnessed in the city from time to time.
In all of this the Choir was at his side supporting him. Neil would often say that he will not get involved in politics as it is too crass and would kill the softer side of him that creates music, yet he never failed to be moved by the circumstances around him. He and the Choir would be on their knees praying for harmony and for those in the business of governance. The Shillong Chamber Choir is a praying choir and that is why being in their presence is spiritually uplifting.
Meghalaya is a place where every second person can sing and make a name for himself/herself but it takes more than just a good voice and musical talent to produce what the Shillong Chamber Choir has which is to mesmerize the audience. That takes a special inner beauty that shines out on stage. And it also takes a special kind of leader to bring out the best in his team. If Neil is to be remembered it must be above all for having built a second and third rung leadership that can take the Choir forward in his absence today. Sure, the Choir will need an enabling environment where they can step out into that bold new world of entertainment without their larger than life, “Uncle Neil.” And yes, the pangs of loss will gnaw at their tender hearts but as the famous rock band Queen sang in their 1991 album ‘Inuendo’, “The Show Must Go On.”
Other ventures that have been established since the pandemic – Uncle’s Ark a home delivery service for groceries – which is now running full steam must also carry on as it is a labour of love. Uncle’s Ark has been able to employ several young people and part of the proceeds from Uncle’s Ark goes towards helping those in need, particularly the elderly. These are activities that have a larger meaning than just sheer entertainment or crass commerce.
Members of the Shillong Chamber Choir can cook, bake, teach and maintain a garden amongst other things. Their farm in Ri Bhoi district produces organic vegetables and fish which are sold through Uncle’s Ark.
Neil was so grounded that even while he dined with the high and mighty – with ambassadors, prime ministers, presidents and even royalty, he never once forgot his roots. His greatest desire was to film an opera based on “Ka Sohlyngngem” a Khasi folklore that yet again speaks of a Khasi society that is class conscious and yet which is often thoughtlessly labelled “egalitarian.” That angst remains incomplete. The Shillong Chamber Choir should perhaps complete this mission in their own time.
To capture the essence of Neil’s personality and how it has rubbed off on the Choir would require a whole book. Someone from Bollywood had once attempted to make a film on the journey of Neil and the Choir but as it often happens the director tried to add a bit of spice to the whole drama so that it becomes a commercial hit. Neil rejected this attempt. He wanted a film on him to be true to life. Alas! Such a film never got made.
Shillong, nay Meghalaya agonises over the loss of a brilliant musician whose forte was his versatility to play around with different genres from opera to classical, pop, rock, folk and Hindustani music. This versatility is why the Shillong Chamber Choir has made a mark for itself. Neil has mentored the Choir to be independent and to strike out a future, should anything befall him. In fact, in conversations with friends Neil often spoke about death in the most graphic manner as if he knew he had a short sojourn on this earth. As humans we say, “Neil has gone too soon,” but God the creator says, “Your time has come good and faithful servant,” and Neil went obediently without a struggle, leaving us all in shock and pain!