Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project Season 2, which saw a prolific range of artistes this time, was held in October at Shillong Police Bazaar and across three locations — Tura Super Market in Garo Hills, Iawmusiang Police Station in Jowai and Jiva Resort in Sohra. A huge crowd gathered right in the hub of Shillong, just to witness the charm of the “Rock Capital of India”. Come rain or shine, their spirit was indomitable. Everyone opened their colourful umbrellas and cheered on as the musicians put up a one-of-a-kind live music session.
Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project Season 2 was officially launched by the government of Meghalaya to provide a space and platform to local artistes and fund them so that they can continue their legacy. Conducting over 3,000 events across Meghalaya, helping out around 1,600 artistes, developing infrastructure so that street music festivals can be hosted, funding their tours and enabling them all to get bigger and better opportunities as musicians, all have come under the government’s purview.
Day 1 Artistes
Sur Na Nongkyndong
Members: Raison Nongrum, Waibha Nongrum (vocalist), Jarsing Nongrum (mandolin), Rit Shadap (mandolin), Plierin During, Glomin Manner. Violinists: Indro Longshiang, Baduk Longshiang, Rosing Nongrum, Good Kshiar. Guitarists: Teilang Nongrum, Mesen Mynsong, Bariker Mynsong, Don Manner and Rang Suting (Khasi drums)
Na U Bna
Na U Bnai aka “From the Moon”. “We are a traditional fusion band and we derived our name from a Japanese folktale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. We relate the story to our vocalist, who is a female lead and just 11 years old. We feel she’s lucky for us!” said the band members who’re really fond of their vocalist, an emblem of the matriarchal society
Members: Arlene M. Iawphniaw (lead singer), Wanteilihok Tiewsoh (vocalist), Daphi Nongneng (vocalist), Iateilang L. Sangriang (flute, ksing), Mebantei Kharbani (duitara, vocalist), Damang Phylla L. Tron (bom), Ronaldo Khardewsaw (bassist), Shemphang Lhuid (guitarist), Dakerlang Dopri (keys), Tipborlang Nongkhlaw (drums) and Shainam Dkhar (keys).
Colours
“We started in 2004 and it’s been like a journey with our brothers. We started from scratch and now we travel all across India doing our rock n’ roll. In our current line-up we incorporate some new song covers as well to keep up with the changing tastes of the audience,” the band Colours told t2
Members: Danny (vocalist), Hubert David Malngiang (keys), Lanz Khawangland (drums), Arwel Warjri (bass) and Barry Mawthoh (vocalist)
Day 2 Artistes
Thunder’s Cave
Members: Pdiangbok Diengdoh, Johnny Chriss (vocalist), Amos Syiemlieh (bassist), Khrawbor Myrthong (guitarist), Bankitbok Rani (guitarist) and Banjop Myrthong (Myrthong)
Lynx
Members: Shan (vocalist), Diam (guitarist and backup vocals), Michael (guitarist), Marco (bassist) and Sam (drummer)
Soulgroove
Members: Elza Rymbai (vocalist and rhythm guitarist), Zediah Hynniewta (vocalist and lead guitarist), John Rymbai (drums), Manavona Massar (keys), Kynsai Manners (keys) and Nash Lyngdoh (bass)
Day 3 Artistes
At Jowai:
1. Clady Bareh
2. Seis_Euphony
At Tura:
1. Cherri Mrong
2. Crack Gang
3. G Hills’ Finests
4. Snam x Kohobodi
At Shillong:
Rum and Monkeys
Rum and Monkeys
At Sohra:
1. Mawkordor Ryntathiang
Weldy John
2. Dio Medy Diengdoh
3. Weldy John
