A three-day music, dance and drama festival was organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) in Shillong, with the national organisation pledging to support the arts in Meghalaya.
The festival, Amrit Yuva Kalotsav, took place from May 19 to 21.
Guests over the course of the event included Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan, SNA chairperson Sandhya Purecha, SNA secretary Raju Das, SNA member Monica Chanda and eminent cultural exponent from Meghalaya Silbi Passah.
The festival showcased a cultural extravaganza of more than a dozen performances, including folk and classical songs, folk and classical dances, theatre and other creative performances from all over the country. Local performances were presented by Dajied Sing Kharkongor and his group, the troupes of Passah and the Aroha Choir.
As part of the endeavour of SNA, the team led by Purecha visited various cultural organisations in rural areas and a few groups from the state were selected to receive support for their service to promote arts and culture in the country.
Around 20 students of the Seng Riti Cultural Organisation of Wahkhen will receive a scholarship for training in traditional performances, including an honorarium for their gurus, and the Pahambir Cultural Club was granted three sets of musical instruments and traditional costumes for some performers.
Furthermore, there was a proposal to nominate an award for a few outstanding gurus in the near future, based on their contribution to the regular practice, growth and refinement of traditional art forms.
