Shillong (Meghalaya), July 15: Three musicians of the State were honoured at an Award Ceremony jointly hosted by Anuprerona, Riti Academy and Media Plus at Soso Tham Auditorium, State Central Library here today including eight recipients from Assam.
The award ceremony was graced by Paul Lyngdoh, Minister, Arts and Culture and Tourism, as chief guest, while Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary Arts and Culture and N Munish Singh, Zonal Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations as guests of honour.
In his speech, Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Arts and Culture lauded the initiative of the organisers to acknowledge the local artists of the State who had contributed to society through their creative expressions. The Minister spoke at length on the upliftment of arts and culture in the State including the institution of separate awards for the arts and the renaming of the SICPAC in the Lariti International Center for Performing Arts and Culture.
He recalled his childhood memories of Khasi traditional songs sung by the recipients of the awards, Tanbor Swer and the association of Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne Khonglam in the album produced by KSU while he was the leader.
Tanbor Swer was conferred with the Rana Kharkongor Memorial Award, while Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne were conferred with Riti Excellence Awards along with other recipients from Assam. The recipients for literature and social service are Dr. Naren Hazarika, Sr. Journalist, Editor of Daily Daindeen Barta, Nang Anjana Gogoi, Advisor of “Dauboria Barta”(weekly news magazine), Mr. Sukleswar Nath, Smt. Ushamoni Saikia, Literature & Social Service, Smt. Alaka Bujar Baruah, School Teacher, Smt. Manju Hazarika, schoolteacher, andc Smt. Inu Sarma, while Sajan Bhuyan was the recipient for Social Service.
The cultural programme was performed by an emerging musical band, Na U Bnai, Saphina Kharhunai and Aanya Kharhunai, grandchildren of Rana Kharkongor, and the spectacular performances by the awardees Tanbor Swer and Adlyne Khonglam. The Assamese troupes also presented cultural performances, including the famous and popular Bihu dance.
