A book of Khasi lullabies, entitled ‘Ha Yupiam Ka Bei’ (On Mother’s Lap) was released on Sunday in Jamshedpur.
The book’s contents were curated and compiled by singer Amabel Susngi and the book was published by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) Press.
“With a carefully curated collection of timeless classic lullabies by Amabel Susngi, this illustrated songbook is set to become the ultimate companion for music lovers of all ages,” an MLCU press release said today.
The book contains more than two dozen lullabies in dialects from the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi, covering a wide spectrum of musical styles. It was released at Samvaad 2023, a tribal conclave enabled by the Tata Steel Foundation.
The songbook is designed for ease of use, featuring lyrics with English translations and melody notation for musicians of all skill levels.
Ha Yupiam Ka Bei will be available as a book and the recorded lullabies can be enjoyed on the Tyn-re YouTube channel, ensuring accessibility and convenience for users who prefer to have their song collection at their fingertips, wherever they go.
Susngi is a music teacher at Hill Crest Higher Secondary School in Shillong and is currently pursuing her PhD in Music from MLCU. She was a recipient of the Samvaad Fellowship in 2021.
