By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 15: Three prominent artistes of the state who has immensely contributed to arts and culture through their creative works were conferred at U Soso Tham Auditotium, here on Saturday.
Tanbor Swer, Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne Khonglam are noted songwriters and singers associated with the Khasi music industry who have in their times composed and sung some of the most melodious vernacular songs that will be cherished forever.
Tanbor Swer was honoured with the Rana Kharkongor Memorial Award, Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne were conferred with Riti Excellence Awards, eight recipients from Assam were also conferred at the award ceremony jointly hosted by Anuprerona, Riti Academy and Media Plus.
The trio was nominated for their outstanding contributions and dedication to arts and culture.
Tanbor Swer is a veteran songwriter who started composing songs in 1963. In his career, spanning more than fifty years, he has written a wide range of compositions on nature, humanity, youth, social issues, patriotism, Christian hymns and personal experience about life and society. Tanbor is a top grade radio artiste and has a collection of several musical albums, including certain prestigious performances in the state and the region.
Daminot J Wankhar is a brilliant academician, literateur and versatile lyricist and vocalist with his own distinct style and melody. The puns and satire in his lyrics are simple, contemporary and relevant at all times and a few of his songs inspire the reformation of society and motivate revolutionary spirit that may be categorised as Khasi classical music. A songwriter who sings and writes secular and Gospel music both in vernacular language, Khasi and in English; Daminot is also an outstanding performer and entertainer par excellence.
Adlyne Khonglam is a homegrown songwriter, musician with captivating vocal chords that have emotional energy and stimulate excitement in people with her lyrics about rural life, compassion and every positive temperament in society. She has on several prestigious occasions performed solo and with a group of artistes in the state, the region and in the country. She is also a poet, and a writer, besides a top-grade radio and television artiste.
It may be mentioned that the award ceremony was graced by Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Lyngdoh as chief guest.
The minster lauded the initiative of the organisers to acknowledge artists of the state who had contributed to society through their creative expressions. He spoke at length on the upliftment of arts and culture in the state including the institution of separate awards for the arts and the renaming of the SICPAC in the Lariti International Center for Performing Arts and Culture.
He recalled his childhood memories of Khasi traditional songs sung by the recipients of the awards, Tanbor Swer and the association of Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne Khonglam in the album produced by KSU while he was the leader.
The recipients from Assam for literature and social service are Dr. Naren Hazarika, Sr. Journalist, Editor of Daily Daindeen Barta, Nang Anjana Gogoi, Advisor of “Dauboria Barta”(weekly news magazine), Sukleswar Nath, Ushamoni Saikia, Literature & Social Service, Alaka Bujar Baruah, School Teacher, Manju Hazarika, school teacher, and Inu Sarma, while Sajan Bhuyan was the recipient for social service. Spectacular performances by the awardees Tanbor Swer and Adlyne Khonglam enthralled the audience at the auditorium once again. Emerging musical band Na U Bnai, and the grandchildren of sensational singer, late Rana Kharkongor, Saphina Kharhunai and Aanya Kharhunai also performed at the award function.
Assamese troupes presented the famous and popular Bihu dance.