Music from the hills
Police Bazar, the commercial heart of Shillong, transformed into a pulsating hub of live music on Saturday evening as local bands took over the newly designated cultural corridor, Lynti Sur Bathiang. The open-air musical event held at Khyndai Lad drew a large weekend crowd, captivating both locals and tourists with a powerful set list of classic rock anthems and contemporary hits.
The evening marked another milestone for Lynti Sur Bathiang—translated as “A Path of Beautiful Melodies”—a public space explicitly curated by the state government to replace the chaotic hum of street vendors with the rich, acoustic heritage of the Khasi Hills.
A Shillong Jottings member, enjoying an evening out with his family, noted how seamlessly the venue has evolved into a family-friendly destination. As the first guitar chords reverberated across the thoroughfare, the typical rush of shoppers ground to a halt.
Pedestrians, both locals and tourists, quickly huddled near the performance stage, forming a vibrant, cheering circle that spanned generations.
The performing bands belted out popular English covers and Khasi numbers with a level of tight instrumentation and vocal precision that further cements Shillong’s reputation as India’s de facto rock capital.
For the tourists, the concert was a delightful surprise. Many were seen tapping their feet or recording clips on their phones, utterly mesmerised by the talent on display.
Accompanied by his wife and daughter, our SJ member observed how the magic of music easily bridged gaps. Right beside him, young and elderly couples were humming along to retro melodies, as tourists from mainland India cheered in unison with locals.
The crisp, evening air of the hills, combined with the mesmerising music, made for an immersive experience that no indoor venue could quite replicate.
