Shillong, Aug 16: The public space along the Khyndailad stretch in Police Bazar, which once reverberates with shrill chants of street vendors, will now pave way for buskers through an initiative locally named, ‘Lynti Sur Bathiang’, which translates to ‘A Path of Beautiful Melodies’.
The initiative envisages the transformation of urban space in Khyndailad, one of the most iconic locations in Shillong, into a musical street filled with performances, installations and artistic expressions.
“This street will not only be hosting live performances but will also become a symbolic focus of Meghalaya’s thriving grassroots music scene and in creating people-centric vibrant spaces that foster community interactions while promoting local culture and music,” the Urban Affair Department said.
Partnering with the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project along with the support of the Tourism Department, this collaboration underscores how three elements – urban planning, cultural policy and tourism development—can go hand in hand, the department said.
The initiative that was “specially curated” took off with a musical start on August 14, when the department hosted a musical evening.
“We have always dreamt of making this street, and hopefully many other streets, not just in Shillong, but in other parts of this beautiful state of ours, where we have music being played by our youngsters and creating opportunities for them, and allowing our tourists and residents and citizens to then enjoy that particular music,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
He said the musical evening will go a long way in creating the “right environment” in the area that will ultimately benefit the people, the citizens, and the business and trade.
The Chief Minister urged people to cooperate with the district administration while the government will be creating different infrastructures.
The makeover of the area that was seen on Thursday, on the eve of Independence Day, as the route has been draped in the tricolour, with a canopy of saffron, white and green stretching over the market lane. Shops and street vendors have joined in, adorning their spaces with flags and bunting.
Nevertheless, the stretch bore the dilapidated tiles laid more than 10 years ago. Many of them have shifted or sunk over the years, due to footfall and vehicular pressure as well as rain, leading to an uncomfortable and dangerous walking experience that is liable to get people wet and dirty when rainwater collects and forms filthy puddles along the route.
However, the Chief Minister made an assurance. “We will be creating different infrastructures, right now we have just done the temporary beautification, but I can assure you that we will be redoing the entire footpath, we’ll be creating different kind of beautification, lamps and benches, and coffee shops, and places where people can perform,” he said.
After a long-drawn out process, hawkers and street vendors were removed from the stretch of Khyndailad down to Dreamland last month. “This entire area will become an area where people would love to just spend their time, enjoy the music, and will be hassle-free, they’ll be able to move around in this zone,” the Chief Minister said.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh remarked, “Shillong is not just a rock capital, but is the music capital of this country. And right here, this particular space will unleash fresh talent as we have buskers. If you hear fresh, young vocalists and their music, it will sound even better.”
He said that the government will ensure Shillong becomes pedestrian-friendly and a hub of cultural activities that would be seen by the rest of the world as the “epicentre of the arts and music.”
