By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: Sounds of traditional music of the region reverberated throughout the day at Martin Luther Christian University campus as the curtains fell on the Folk Music Week organised by the Department of Music here on Thursday.
Performances by the traditional music experts and students resonated during the final, while various activities such as interactive sessions, workshops, field trip and performances became the highlight during the previous days of the week.
The event witnessed full participation of the students (UG & PG), faculty as well as the staff of the department.
Traditional music experts included Jorsing Lynshiang, who is a folk musician from Mawsna village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills. He is well-known as the Leaf Blowing performer (Nongput Sla).
Robet Khonglam, a known figure in the Khasi traditional music field, from Mawbeh village, Pynursla Block, was another expert who specialises in crafting and playing “Ka Singphong” (a Khasi bamboo percussion instrument), and he is also a skilled performer in “Ki PhawarKiewIing” of the War region in Meghalaya.
The Wedding Band, “Ki Sur Na Nongkyndong”, which is a group of performers from Lynshing village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills were also a part of the university’s Folk Music Week. They have performed at various festivals and wedding ceremonies around the state and also during the Hills Festival in 2019.
Earlier, the students and faculty went on a field trip to Umkaduh village, Ri-Bhoi district, where a day long workshop on “Ka Krud Lyngkha” was conducted with Phras Syngkli and his team. This is a popular cultural activity practised by the villagers of Umkaduh and its neighbouring villages in Ri-Bhoi, where the community uses folk music and work songs while ploughing the field before the sowing season.
On the closing day, the traditional music experts performed their music and gave brief summaries of their instruments and art.