By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 26: The Seng Khasi Kmie has strongly condemned the unauthorised performance and alleged alteration of a sacred Niam Khasi song during a recent church event organised by the Nongstoin Archdiocese.
In an official letter addressed to the Archbishop of the Nongstoin Archdiocese, the Seng Khasi Kmie expressed “deep objection and dismay” over the performance of the song La Buh Bynta during a Shad Pashka celebration held on April 20 at St. Francis De Sales Church in Umwahlang, West Khasi Hills.
The organisation alleged that the song was used without permission and that its lyrics were altered during the performance. They decried the act as a “grave dishonour” to the song’s original composers, the Seng Khasi community and the wider Niam Khasi faith.
Originally composed and recorded by Seng Khasi Lyngkyrdem, the song is regarded as a tribute to the spiritual heritage and cultural identity of the Khasi people and is featured in the Niam Khasi Songbook. According to the Seng Khasi Kmie, the misuse of the song not only constitutes a violation of intellectual property rights but also deeply offends religious sentiments.
“The appalling changing of lyrics may lead to serious animosity between the Niam Khasi and those who belong to the new faith brought to these hills,” the letter warned, noting that such acts could mislead the public and distort the understanding of Khasi beliefs.
The Seng Khasi Kmie has demanded an immediate and unconditional apology from both the performers and the church authorities involved. They have also urged a public commitment to refrain from misusing Khasi spiritual, intellectual or artistic expressions in the future.
“If the apology and necessary statements are not issued within the first week of May 2025, the Seng Khasi will be forced to take legal action to bring the matter to its rightful conclusion,” the organisation said in the letter signed by its general secretary, H. Marbaniang.