By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 3: The 2nd season of the much popular Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) is set to make a comeback on Wednesday in the presence of the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, seasoned musicians themselves in Khyndailad, Police Bazaar.
The MGMP is a collaboration with the State Tourism Department and Meghalayan Age.
The project aimed at promoting the grassroots musical talents of the state began in April, 2022.
The grassroots project was a well-received affair with local artisans and musicians performing in popular spots across with city.
Over the past ten months, MGMP has witnessed a participation of 1600 performers, in cafes, busking areas, and special events across Shillong, Tura, Jowai, and Sohra. The project had hosted over 3000 events.
In terms of engagement, Shillong has seen 1735 MGMP artisans from May 2022 to May 2023, followed by 281 in Sohra, 117 in Jowai, and 216 in Tura. The project’s Street Performance platform (busking) has featured 650 artists in Shillong, 325 in Sohra, and 320 in Tura. Additionally, 650 artists graced café gigs in Shillong, while Sohra, Jowai, and Tura saw 325 artists each.
Special curated music events numbered 15 in Shillong, one in Sohra, and 12 in Tura.
The chief minister during the inauguration last year stated, “We believe that music has the power to unite communities, celebrate diversity, and tell the stories of our land. The Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project is our commitment to nurturing and celebrating our local talent, fostering an atmosphere where musicians, songwriters, composers, and all those involved in the musical industry can thrive.”
Citing a link between the music and tourism, the Chief Minister had envisioned the project to be a bridge to connect the state’s musical talent to the world.