SHILLONG, April 8: Shad Suk Mynsiem, the dance of the peaceful heart, will for the first time be seen on a giant screen to be put up at Khyndailad on Monday.
The three-day traditional thanksgiving dance will begin at Jaiaw’s Lympung Weiking ground on Saturday.
The cultural secretary of Seng Khasi Kmie (SKK), D Suiam told reporters on Friday that they will set up the giant screen with the help of the state government.
“We feel that this is a great thing since people who are not able to come to the ground will be able to witness the event on the big screen. It will also enable the tourists to witness the thanksgiving dance to be performed by young dancers,” he said.
Suiam said the dancers will be blessed by the elders of the SKK before taking part in the dance. “This is something unique about this year’s festival,” he added.
The chairman of SKK’s publicity committee, Banteilang S Rumnong said they were not able to organise the Shad Suk Mynsiem in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held on a small scale in 2021.
“We hope to organise it on a much bigger scale this year. But we will ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed,” Rumnong said.
According to him, Shad Suk Mynsiem is a celebration to show the community’s admiration for God.
“It is organised throughout the Khasi Hills during spring when nature rejuvenates itself and mankind is filled with the hope of a rich harvest from the sown seeds,” he said.
Rumnong further said that this year’s festival is a part of the celebration of the 75th year of India’s independence and 50 years of Meghalaya’s statehood.
SKK vice-president, Arwan S Tariang said that in 1910, the Seng Khasi leaders decided to shift the venue from Mawkhar to Lympung Weiking. It was on April 14 and 15, 1911, that the first Shad Suk Mynsiem was held at the spacious Lympung Weiking, he added.
The Seng Khasi has been able to preserve all the aspects of this dance form, including the beat of drums, cymbals and the shrill piping sound of the Tangmuri, a traditional trumpet.
