By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 29: A group of song writers, music enthusiasts and citizens of Shillong met Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday making a clarion call to preserve and promote the indigenous arts, music, playwrights, et al.
In this regard, a memorandum was submitted to the minister.
In the meeting, also attended by Commissioner and Secretary Arts and Culture, FR Kharkongor, the group said that since the introduction of written language and printing press, many of the written documents which reflect the past heritage have been kept and preserved by various stakeholders including public and private libraries.
However, the group expressed apprehension over the preservation of local indigenous songs and plays which have been recorded in radio stations of the state and outside in cities like Kolkata and Guwahati since the pre-independence period.
The group urged upon the government to constitute a commission with song writers, singers and play writers as members, while specifying that such commission should be an autonomous body.
It also emphasised that local indigenous artists, who have contributed to the sphere of arts, music and culture must be given recognition.
It also stated that all original songs written and composed in Khasi, Jaintia, Garo, Hindi, etc., by the local artists should be retrieved, collected and preserved for posterity.
