Editor,
Dondor Giri Nongkhlaw’s article “Shillong: The Geographical & Cultural Landscapes” (February 28) has indeed made my morning!
Apart from the sweet musical name of the city, the capital of Meghalaya used to draw me right from my teenage days with Kishore Kumar’s “Shillonger Pine Boney Boney Koto Gaan Lekha Aache Daekho” (So many songs written amidst the Pine forests of Shillong) acting as a major booster!
Thereafter Rabindranath Tagore’s iconic 1928 novel ‘Sesher Kabita’ had transmitted my mind to various nooks and corners of the Paradise within the mystical Khasi Hills.
So 36 years ago, when I received the maiden opportunity to travel to North-East India with the itinerary including Shillong as well, my joy knew no bounds.
After completion of the Guwahati sojourn, we headed towards Shillong on the morning. Passing through villages and small towns of Byrnihat and Nongpoh, bamboo-groves, the large Umiam Lake meandering on the lap of the ranges of Khasi Hills with umbrella of clouds all over and a cool climate engulfing us — the names Meghalaya (Abode of Clouds) or ‘Switzerland of the East’ are so appropriate and right in place!
Though we enjoyed the exquisite Meghalaya capital with its winding roads, pine trees, majestic Churches and buildings bearing an amalgamation of British and indigenous architectures; we could not take a bird’s eye view of it from Shillong Peak due to cloud cover. However we got cheered up by the beautiful Elephant Falls. Never had I witnessed any three-storied waterfalls previously! And the lowest one was not only the largest, but most awesome also with gallons of white downpour upon hard rocks and surrounded by green vegetation. Another Shillong beauty was waiting to be discovered — the twin Falls named Beadon and Bishop. And the fruitful day culminated amidst colourful flowers and bird life of Lady Hydari Park.
However, the majestic view of the city from Shillong Peak had turned successful in the following two trips undertaken in 2012 and 2016 with additional new experience in the out-of-the-world Ward’s Lake!
And till my last days, I will eagerly look forward to multiple trips to Shillong for its irresistible charm and unique vibes and also to explore deep into the jewels of Khasi culture as well including the presentations of Shillong Chamber Choir.
Kajal Chatterjee
Kolkata
Via e-mail
