Resubelpara, Jan 2: The village of Bangsi Apal in North Graro Hills was the place to be this day, Jan 2, after thousands descended upon the Bangsi Apal playground to dance and sing to their hearts content to herald the end of the Holiday season.
The event is organized every year by the 2nd Jan Grand Celebration Song Kristan Committee. The organizers informed that the celebration has been taking place since 2005 and expected the same to continue going forward.
The small village saw over 20,000 people come through the entire day, some to watch the proceedings with most joining in the procession. The participants used drums, cymbals and flutes with various traditional songs being part of the retinue. The organizers, in order to keep to tradition have removed any form of competition so that everyone that wants to be part of the crowd of dancers and singers can join in.
The volume of the entire event was so loud that the sound of drums and cymbals reached nearby Dainadubi, almost a kilometer away. The celebrations began at 11 AM and continued non stop until 5 PM.
Song Kirtan or Kristan is a tradition where homage in paid to the Lord through community dance and song. It follows the tradition of ‘Kirtan’ undertaken by other communities. Early Garos, most of who were Songareks adopted the tradition while adding their own flavor to things.
Song Kristan is undertaken by groups who sing and dance, using various instruments that seek to praise the Almighty. While this tradition began with the Songsareks, the tradition has continued even after most Garos moved on to Christianity. However of late, the tradition has been fading with lesser and lesser numbers taking up ‘Song Kristan’ every year.
“We organize the event every year on Jan 2 to keep the tradition of Song Kristan alive. This is one tradition that needs to be continued by our future generations,” felt organizer Jaffrey Momin.
Earlier Song Kristan groups were present in every village with both and old being part of the groups. However of late, the situation has changed with elders hardly being part of the groups that undertake Song Kristan.
“Earlier we began Song Kristan from as far back as Dec 3. This was immediately after the examinations ended in most schools. These would continue till Jan 1 of the New Year. Today’s program will herald the end of the holiday season for us as we once again ready ourselves for another year of work,” added a resident of nearby Nishangram.
The huge participation in the celebration was welcomed by the organizers who hoped that the numbers would swell in the years to come.
Residents of the state including all the districts of Garo Hills as well as parts of Khasi Hills were part of the gathering. Nearby residents of Assam too ensured the program got the reception it deserves.
However the organizers expressed one lament on the continuation of the program – the lack of support from the state or district administration for something that promotes indigenous culture.
“We have stopped seeking help from the state or administration since more than a decade ago as they have never come forward despite our pleas. The event has attracted tourists from all across Assam and parts of Garo Hills but there is no promotion for our celebration. It would have been great if some support was provided to us to help organize the program,” informed another organizers, Gilsang D Shira.