Shillong, Nov 11: The beat of 1,000 drums echoed through Wangala A’dam, Chibragre, on Wednesday as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the Golden Jubilee of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival.
The 50th edition, being held from November 11 to 14 under the theme ‘Rhythm of 1,000 Drums,’ brings together 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers – a far cry from the 100 drums and 300 dancers with which it began in 1976.
Inaugurating the festival, Sangma said it gave him great satisfaction to fulfil the vision of the people’s leader Purno A Sangma, who had dreamt not of 100 drums, but of 1,000.
“Today it gives me great satisfaction to bring to fruition the vision of Late PA Sangma by celebrating the Golden Jubilee with 1000 Drums,” he said.
He remembered the pioneers who started the festival at Asanang on December 6 and 7, 1976 – Late Captain A Sangma, Late Sanford K Marak, Late Dr Bernard K Marak, Late Probin Raksam, Late Hubert K Sangma, Late Liander K Mara, Late Herik S Sangma, Late Felix R Sangma and Late Garnet Mangsang, among others.
He thanked the A’king Nokma for donating the land for the festival.
Sangma said Meghalaya is developing, but it must preserve its identity, culture and roots. He said many developed countries have no peace because they have forgotten their identity.
He announced Rs 20 crore through the PWD for development of the Wangala A’dam and another Rs 6 crore for organising this year’s festival. He said the government has also sanctioned the huge expenditure for the Guinness World Records attempt.
“This is our identity and we should preserve it, support it, help it and feel proud about it,” he said.
The four-day programme includes the thousand drums presentation, Rugala, Cha’chat So’a, indigenous games, folk-song competitions, oral traditions and traditional food. Troupes from Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Karbi Anglong, and Ruga, Chibok, Megam and Atong communities have been invited. More than 300 stalls for food, handloom and handicrafts have been set up.
Also present were MLAs Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, Arbinstone B Marak, Jimmy D Sangma and Sanjay A Sangma, GHADC CEM Dormonath Sangma, MDCs, religious leaders and district officials.
High profile dignitaries are expected in the next three days.
