By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
It’s been almost three months since noted pianist and composer, Neil Nongkynrih left for his heavenly abode and since then the journey has only been tough for the young members of the Shillong Chamber Choir.
How do they move forward hereon? The Shillong Times caught up with the lead singer of the Shillong Chamber Choir, William Basaiawmoit to talk about their future plans.
ST: The demise of Neil Nongkynrih has had a huge impact on the team. How are you coping with this loss?
William: From the moment that we knew that Uncle Neil was no more, there was this profound sense of not even wanting to think about the next day. We just wanted to get through that day in itself and I think that has matured as the days have gone by and we are making the most of every single day. The road ahead is huge and what Uncle Neil has left behind is immense but I thank God that he has left us with that. He is a man of the moment and that is something that is in us now. Let tomorrow worry about itself – so that is how we are coping.
ST: Known as a man of strong conviction and devotion, how has Neil’s principles and value percolated to each one of you?
William: I can say that a part of Uncle Neil is in each and every one of us. Through the years, we have been so close with one another and he has taught us tremendous values, work ethics and, most importantly, he taught us the power of prayer; without that, we would have not been able to face what lies ahead. He has brought up human beings who are of value, who stand in the principles that they believe in and nothing can move that and I can see it every day with the ones who are here and it brings a tremendous amount of strength, knowing that we all have the same values. Oh, what a sense of peace and trust in a day and age. That quality is so rare.
ST: Neil left a huge gap and it has been a different phase for each one of you after his demise. Where do you draw your strength from?
William: On behalf of the Choir, I can say this – we draw our strength from God and from one another. The moment Uncle Neil passed away there was this love that grew for one another because this was what we have. How God has taken us through those days has been absolutely amazing to witness. The strength is actually in our weakness. It is on our knees, crying to God to take us through, one day at a time. And how it is unfolding one day after another is amazing. We look forward to the journey that lies ahead now.
ST: When we talk about the journey of the SCC, what are your upcoming projects?
William: There is a lot in store. Let’s start with Uncle Neil’s musical inheritance that he left behind. He was such a creative powerhouse. It will take at least 10 years to churn out all the work that is just lying there on his computer, his manuscripts. We have made it a vision of ours to make sure it all sees the light of the day. There is the Sohlyngngem – an opera which is about 80 per cent completed and that was his baby – his heart’s desire and it’s almost done. We will take it forward and make sure it sees the light of day. Our vision is that it will be one of India’s biggest cultural exports. It’s that beautiful. He has put so much time and effort into it. It’s been in the making for 18-19 years and it’s almost there. It’s on the cusp of completion.
Then we have the Gospel album which has been something he wanted to give to the world for many years. When COVID-19 hit – at a time when the choir was not travelling, he said now is the time to release it and there we were moving along with Uncle Neil. It comprises spiritual songs – songs of comfort and healing in three albums – Khasi, English and Hindi. That is about to come up. You’ll see Uncle Neil there playing the piano. It brought me to tears when I saw him playing the piano. Then there is the train journey which was the last video in which Uncle Neil appeared and you’d see him dancing in that video. He loved to dance. We have a lot of concerts lined up and many compositions are underway. There’s also a Jaintia album in the making.
ST: Let’s talk about your association with Mumbai-based TM Talent Management. Was the association finalised before Neil passed away?
William: It was finalised before his passing and I can tell you – that is a greater sense of comfort for us. If Uncle Neil had not said that he trusts this team and the man who is heading it, we would not have had that same level of passion to take it forward. This is probably the best company in the country in terms of managing musical artists from Arijit Singh to Sunidhi Chauhan. And one of their goals is to take forward Uncle Neil’s Opera – Sohlyngngem.
ST: Is the team determined to carry forward Neil’s legacy?
William: It’s our life’s goal. Determined more than ever before because I owe my life to him for what he introduced me to and for each one of us – this is our lives’ goal. What a vision to have. It’s going to be difficult, it’s not going to be easy, there is going to be a lot of trials and tribulations that will take place but we thank God for it because that is where we’ll grow as human beings.
ST: When people talk about the SCC, they think about music, the glitz and glamour but I believe the SCC is more than that. Can you tell our viewers what the SCC is all about?
William: The SCC is a very simple group of people and we love that simplicity. This is what we live for. This is what we will continue to live for through the difficult seasons of life. And Whispering Pines (SCC bungalow) will always bring us back home. We will sing for Whispering Pines and for all of those who need to hear our music. We have been so moved by our fans, the people of our state, the country and the world of the amount of goodwill that has come forward. This is what will take us forward. Like a God-fearing man once said: “All you have to do is be faithful and you will see what God will do”. We are just waiting patiently now.
ST: What is that one thing that you would like to share with the world because SCC is an example of hard work, discipline and perseverance?
William: The one thing I want to share on behalf of Uncle Neil is “Stick to that which makes your heart beat”. And that is what has made the SCC. We are not super talented people and not great in terms of fantastic voices but when you’re humble and it takes a tremendous amount of Godly fear to be humble and continue one day at a time to build that what you love, Oh, as they say – the world is your oyster and that is what Uncle Neil taught us – stick with it. He stuck to the piano from the age of 3-4 to the very end and look at what it brought him. I would tell any young person or anyone for that matter – go to that where your heart beats and it will not be your job anymore, it’ll just be something that you love to do.