Shillong, May 9: Now 79, legendary Shillong musician Lou Majaw will once again lead what organisers call the world’s longest-running tribute to Nobel laureate Bob Dylan, as the city gears up for the 55th edition of Bob Dylan Day on May 23 and 24.
What began in 1972 as a small birthday gathering at Majaw’s home has grown into a public cultural tradition that organisers say is deeply tied to Shillong’s identity as India’s “Rock Capital.” Despite rising logistical and organisational costs, the event remains free and open to the public, with no tickets or VIP access, keeping its community-driven spirit intact.
“Bob Dylan taught us that a song can be a newspaper, a prayer, and a protest. For 55 years, we’ve sung his songs not to imitate, but to remember why we sing at all,” Lou Majaw said.
Organised by Mawjam Event Network in association with the Lou Majaw Foundation, this year’s milestone celebration will run across two days and multiple venues. The programme begins May 23 with an intimate tribute concert at The Evening Club featuring Lou Majaw and The Electric Garden.
May 24 will see a free open-street performance at Khyndailad in Police Bazar from 4 pm to 6 pm with live music, poetry, and remembrance sessions opposite Choudhury Pharmacy. An evening session at Cafe Shillong in Laitumkhrah will feature performances by Reuben Z Lyngdoh, Christopher Dylan Majaw, and Phrangsngi Wahlang alongside Lou Majaw.
“55 years is not just a number — it’s Shillong’s love letter to music. Lou started this with a guitar and a belief that art changes people. This year, we celebrate 55 years across two days, two venues, and one legacy,” said Edwigh Eddie Majaw, founder of Mawjam Event Network.
Organisers noted that the annual celebration has drawn attention from international media and Dylan enthusiasts over the years, helping place Shillong on the global music map while also boosting cultural tourism in Meghalaya.
The tribute, which started with a single guitar and a belief in art’s power to change people, continues to shape generations of musicians in the state.
