JOWAI, OCT 26: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday announced that he will organise a competition for Jaintia artists before Christmas at his own expense to showcase and give recognition to talent from the region.

“I am still thinking, before Christmas there will be a kind of competition related to Jaintia artists. It is just a proposal. We are still discussing,” Dhar said.

“This competition I will hold at my own expense. I want to see that whatever talent you have will not go to waste. I want to show the world that we from Jaintia Hills are also talented,” he said.

Dhar was speaking at the inauguration of the Jaintia Artists Association (JAA) at Tpep Pale, Jowai. He also announced Rs 10 lakh for the inauguration programme and assured full support to the new association.

“We want to show the world that we from Jaintia are talented. If we have coordination between the government, artists and society, one day we will be known for having the most popular artists from the Jaintia region,” he said.

“I sponsor Rs 10 lakh for this inauguration. This is the beginning. My door is always open at any time,” Dhar said, adding that even a small award is better than nothing. “We will give 30-40 youth a chance. Something is better than nothing.”

He said the competition aims to ensure Jaintia talent gets a platform and does not remain unrecognised.

“I believe this association will shine like stars in the sky. I want Jaintia Hills to be the most prominent region one day, not only in the state but at the national level,” he said.

Dhar said artists often struggle for sponsorship at the beginning, like schools that get government grants only after 4-5 years of success, and the new association will help bridge that gap and enable artists to avail Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh assistance from departments like Arts and Culture, Tourism and Sports.

He also said he has directed the Deputy Commissioners of West and East Jaintia Hills to engage local artists only.

“From now onwards, whenever you have an entertainment programme in the district, there is no need to call artists from outside. They have to call from Jaintia Hills. We will try to push you,” Dhar added.

Earlier, encouraging youth to stay focused, Dhar said, “The real dream is not the one you have when you sleep. The real dream is the one which makes you sleep less till you achieve it.”

He said no mission begins with direct success. 

“You have to struggle, you have to work hard, you have to work day and night. If you try only for a short while and quickly get tired, you will be losers not winners,” he said.

Dhar, in his humorous style, said society may underestimate artists but their craze is unmatched. 

“I see artists, just with their hair, can make young girls die for them,” he said.

Recalling his own failed attempt at music, Dhar said, “When I was young, my father bought me 2-3 guitars, but it didn’t work out. I complained about the guitar, but later I found it was not the guitar’s fault, it was my fault. I am not fit for this line.”He said becoming a successful artist is not easy. 

“You need a guitarist, singer, piano, violin, many kinds of instruments. It is a tough job, but if you are fighters, everything is possible. There is nothing impossible in this world,” he said.

Dhar said his government is pushing youth through 35 welfare schemes in the last eight years, including grassroots music programmes, tourism vehicles like Innova, football, gyms and cinemas.

“Where will you get a government like this? We are giving small support to uplift youth,” he said, adding that 40,000 to 50,000 youth from the state are now working in hotels across India.

“You have to move beyond your place and home. Now in almost every five-star hotel across India, you will find our local youth,” he said.

Asking artists not to feel small, Dhar cited football stars and Jaintia Hills’ own Reble from Nangbah. 

“Never feel singers are cheap. When a person becomes a star football player, see how valuable he is. Reble is now popular across India because she is hardworking. Talent you have to earn, you cannot buy from the market,” he said.

On unity, Dhar said, “Our failure is, when a group is small we are united, but when it starts to rise, jealousy comes and we disintegrate. Outsiders have unity, they share. We lack that. It is time we realize these things.”

He said the lack of a proper association in Jaintia Hills had prevented artists from getting government help, unlike Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi. 

“That is why I suggested we form this association and today it has materialised. It is a big thing, but you have to be united,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills Emelya Ch Momin and JAA president Redeemson S Pakma also spoke on the occasion.