By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 4: The heavens opened up over Shillong; living up to the name as the ‘abode of clouds’, while making the launch of the second season of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project an affair of umbrellas, raincoats and tarpaulins over speakers.
However, this did not dampen the spirits of the locals and tourists alike who danced to the beats of popular local bands like Sur Ki Nongkyndong, Na U Bnai, and Colours, who kept the crowd engaged with both local melodies and popular pop songs, in Khyndai Lad, on Wednesday.
A highlight of the event was the performance by eleven-year-old Arlene Iawphniaw, the lead singer of the Sohra-based band, Na U Bnai, whose high notes and soulful voice left the crowd in awe.
A group of M.Tech students, visiting from Odisha on an educational tour, could not contain their excitement and joined in the street dancing.
When asked if they understood the Khasi songs, one enthusiastic visitor stated that music transcends language barriers, and they were simply enjoying the music’s rhythm and energy.
Another visitor expressed their luck at stumbling upon the rich local music scene during their trip to Meghalaya, stating that they had heard so much about Meghalaya’s rich musical heritage, they were not sure if they will be able to experience it.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma highlighted the connection between tourism and this project, noting that tourists are loving this unique musical experience and will be a push for the tourism sector in the state.
The second season follows the success of the first season, which saw over 1,600 artists from across the state perform at more than 3,000 events.
Sangma, who also established this as an employment opportunity for the youth, stated that the government is using the revenue generated from the Tourism sector to pay the artistes for their performance.
“We realized, for any economy country or state to grow, we have to focus on our strengths and resources and music is our strength, we have not been able to unlock the potential in the sense that music would create and industry and economy, hence we are finding ways to do that and that’s why the government funded 1,600 artistes last year, in different locations and tried to create jobs out of it,” the CM added.
Sangma also added that the second season would not only be about music but also all kinds of performing arts like dancing, skits, drama, and stand-up comedy in a bid to give a platform to the youth.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh congratulated the artistes and said that the rain was nothing but showers of blessings God has bestowed on an occasion as special as this.
He added, “Shillong is poised to become the nation’s music capital and will soon echo with the vibrant tunes of our local talent. This project has undeniably served as an invaluable platform for budding artists in Meghalaya. In the upcoming season, our commitment extends to reaching every corner of the state, including every district headquarters, ensuring that our music resonates throughout the hills.”