TURA: The A’chik Literature Society (ALS) is making efforts to revive and re-popularise the traditional music instruments of the Garos as well as the tribe’s language inherited from forefathers.
The Society’s president, Caroline R Marak said this during the inauguration of the A’chik traditional music instruments’ workshop on the premises of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School on Monday.
Addressing participants, Marak said the objective of the workshop was to familiarise youths with various traditional instruments of the A’chiks. He urged them to take the workshop seriously.
Principal of the school, Albert Thyrniang spoke about the immense value of traditional musical instruments as a part of Garo culture and highlighted the importance of preserving them as well as the language.
Dewal M Sangma of Rombagre, who instructed the participants, emphasised the need to maintain discipline and concentrate on learning.
He observed that participants can perform well if they give their heart and soul to acquire the skills.
During the workshop the participants were taught the art of playing sarenda, dotdrong, all varieties of flutes, dama, and chigring. The art of making chigring out of wa’da bamboo will also be taught to the participants during the workshop.
Participants also witnessed a performance on chigring and dotdrong by a local cultural group, Pinggira. Other instructors during the workshop comprise Ringjeng T Sangma of Selbalgre and Dirot Ch Marak of Gondenggre.
Altogether 47 participants have registered for the workshop.
