Event rescheduled to February-end
SHILLONG, Jan 28: The much-vaunted Monolith Festival has taken a back seat yet again, this time due to the recent visit of President of India, Droupadi Murmu to Meghalaya.
In view of this, the festival is now scheduled for the fourth week of February.
The decision to shift the dates of the festival was taken during a joint meeting between the Tourism department and KHADC, chaired by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh in the presence of Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem.
Informing this here on Sunday, the KHADC CEM said it took them nearly a week to clean the Khasi Heritage Village at Mawphlang which is the venue of the Monolith Festival in view of the President’s visit.
It may be mentioned that the KHADC had planned to host the festival from February 1 to 3.
He said that they will not push the event management firm since they have only five to six days to prepare for the festival which is not enough.
“We unanimously agreed that it will be better to shift the festival to a later date,” KHADC CEM said.
According to Syiem, the festival will now be held from February 22 to 24.
He also informed that the development of the infrastructures at the venue and also the improvement of the roads leading to the Khasi Heritage Village have been completed.
Invitations have been sent to all the 53 traditional Himas (Kingdoms) of Ri-Bhoi, East, West, and South West Khasi hills districts.
The much-awaited festival will showcase the rich culture of the Khasis.
The CEM said that the way of living and way of dressing, the traditional way of medication through herbs, folk songs, and dances are some of the activities to be displayed during the festival.
The Heritage Village is a permanent structure that will provide a platform for showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage.
“We are also showcasing traditional handicrafts and traditional huts in the festival,” the KHADC CEM said.
The previous Monolith Festival was held in October 2016 at the same location. However, financial constraints compelled the Council to temporarily suspend the festival.