Sounds of traditional music of the region reverberated throughout the day in Martin Luther Christian university campus as the culmination of the Folk Music Week organised by the Department of Music came to be and performances from the traditional music experts and students were heard during the finale.
The week-long event on folk music had various activities such as interactive sessions, workshops, field trips and performances and saw full participation of the students (UG & PG), faculty and staff of the department.
The traditional music experts included Jorsing Lynshiang who is a folk music musician from Mawsna village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills district. He is well-known as the Leaf Blowing performer (Nongput Sla).
Others include Robet Khonglam a known figure in the Khasi traditional music field from Mawbeh village, Pynursla Block, and he specialises in crafting and playing “Ka Singphong”, a Khasi bamboo percussion instrument and he is also a skilled performer in “Ki Phawar Kiew Iing” of the War region in Meghalaya; the Wedding Band, “Ki Sur Na Nongkyndong”, which is a group of performers from Lynshing village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya. They have performed at various festivals and wedding ceremonies around the state and also during the Hills Festival in 2019.
During the week, the students and faculty went on a field trip to Umkaduh village, Ri-Bhoi district, where a day long workshop on the, “Ka Krud Lyngkha”, with Phras Syngkli and his team. This is a popular cultural activity practiced by the villagers of Umkaduh and its neighbouring villages in Ri-Bhoi, where the community uses folk music and work songs while ploughing the field before the sowing season.
On the closing day the traditional music experts performed their music and gave brief summary of their instruments and art. The experts performed the “Ka Krud Lyngkha”, “Phawar Kiew Iing” among others and were also joined by the students of the department in some performances.
