Tura ( Meghalaya), Jan 20 : The Chief Minister of Meghalaya today released the Meghalaya State Anthem after 52 years of statehood. The anthem is a well thought attempt to carefully capture and respect the shared identity of the land and its people.
The anthem anchored by the Arts & Culture Department led by Minister in charge Bah Paul Lyngdoh and coordinated by FR Kharkongor IAS Commissioner & Secretary Arts & Culture along with Arts & Culture team steered the efforts of the State Anthem Working Association ( SAWA) which culminated in the Meghalaya getting its State Anthem after 52 years of Statehood.
Composed by (Late ) Neil Nongkynrih of the Shillong Chamber Choir with indigenous instrumentation laid down by Shillong-based folk-fusion band Summersault and NOKPANTE of the Garo hills, the anthem captures the aspirations of the people cris crossing the past, the present and the future.
The anthem gives equitable lyrical representation of the Khasi and Garo people with fair creative structural space to each group entity.
The English lyrics was drafted by Neil Nongkynrih after which a group of writers, especially Paul Lyngdoh, Minister in charge of Arts and Culture gave fine touches.
The Khasi and Garo lyrics were drafted by Kit Shangpliang of Summersault and Mrs. Iris Watre Thomas respectively, after which inputs from the team, especially the Minister in-charge was incorporated.
The anthem as a whole is based on the indigenous rhythms using the ‘Ksing shynrang’ of the Khasis together with the ‘Dama’ of the Garos, choicest of local words and fusion of melodies.
