Garos keep tradition alive, welcome New Year with Song Krittan

SHILLONG, Dec 3: Unlike other parts of Meghalaya, where people welcomed the New Year in Christmas spirit, villagers of sleepy Bangsi Apal village of Dainadubi in Garo Hills chose to celebrate the occasion differently, with traditional fanfare.
The Song Krittan held on Monday saw a sea of humanity descending on the festival ground. Usually, Songkirtans are a vibrant tradition of West Bengal and Manipur, where devotees sing praise in the name of Krishna. However, the tradition followed by the Garos is known as Song Kristan in popular parlance.
The tradition is followed by the Garos, who sing soulful devotional numbers and dance to pay homage to the Lord.
Every year, Grand Celebration Song Kristan Committee holds the event on January 2.
The organisers, who informed that the celebration is being organised since 2005, hoped to continue the tradition in coming years.