SHILLONG, May 26: Local talents of Meghalaya, especially from remote parts of the state, exhibited their musical finesse during a musical evening called ‘Sanskriti Sanchay’, which was organised by the Indian Army’s Red Horns Division in collaboration with a farmers-focused social enterprise, Abani, and Youth Association for cultural Development at Umroi Military Station on Wednesday.
The event aimed to foster national integration and bring the best of creative talents from the communities across Meghalaya along with celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav with the support of Shillong-based ‘Out There Public Engagement Agency’.
The line-up of the cultural event comprised outfits like Ka Sur na Nongkyndong (or Voice from the village), Ahowee, which is a Garo-Hills-based cultural music troupe, and Meghalaya’s visually impaired band Light after Dark.
Sanskriti Sanchay is also intended to bring impetus to the artistes from the local fraternity as their songs reflect on their day-to-day life and the traditional cultural of the cluster of villages they come from.
In their set list, Ka Sur na Nongkyndong, a folk –based group from Jongksha village, played songs of faith and peppy music that echoed the culture of the hill people. The band consists of 17 people who are all practicing farmers.
Ahowee transported the energy sourced from the culture of the Garo people in their indigenous music.
What stole the show was the raw talent of the visually impaired musicians representing the troupe Light after Dark. In recent past, the band has emerged as the power house to get the audience attention in an instance.
Other special performances included classical violin renditions by Dr M Lalitha and M Nandini, Army Jazz Band, Army Public School, Youth Association for Cultural Development, songs by troops, et al.
Meaningful words shared by the chief guest Dr Justice G Jayachandran of Madras High Court in his speech was also one of the highlights of the programme.
