Shillong Dec 10: Following the success of last year’s festivities, the Government of Meghalaya is happy to announce the third edition of Winter Tales to be held in December 2022.
The event implemented by The Meghalayan Age Limited, curated by Dak_ti Craft will be held in Shillong over three days between the 19th to 21st of December in the iconic Ward’s Lake. Winter Tales is an artisanal event focused on providing a platform to the entrepreneurs and the arts & amp; crafts communities of the state so they can showcase their talents whether it be in art, craft, food, or music. Importance is placed on sustainability and the goal is to make it a Zero-waste initiative.
The previous editions of the event were heavily focused on bringing to the forefront the hidden gems in our state, which are so deeply entrenched in its culture and traditions and have fostered the growth of entrepreneurs in handicrafts, handloom, music, food, art, literature, and also several niches talents that you would only come across in an event like Winter Tales! Owing to the distinctive make-up of the event, all the activities are specifically curated to ensure that stalls and experiences wholly represent Meghalaya’s local talents and cultures.
Tickets will be made available from the official website www.wintertales.in and the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to orphanages and old age homes. Entry will be free for children below 10 years. Details of the various line-ups, demonstrations, and workshops will be available on the website.
A one-of-a-kind initiative to immerse yourself and experience Meghalaya.
Shillong, Nov 20: The hills are alive with the sound of music as the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya organised a one-day cultural event called Wahkhen KSING Repertoire, the full form of KSING being (Khasi Songs in Indigenous Glory).
The event happened on November 18, 2022 at a recently declared Khasi Musical Heritage Village of Wahkhen, East Khasi Hills District. Wahkhen is a village where every villager is a natural musician. Children at a young age can be seen tapping their feet to the thud of traditional drumset beats called ‘Skits’. It is here that music whether in rhythm or melody form resides in the DNA of the locals, age no bar.
The upbeat programme was curated by the department to reflect the variety of art forms and cultural traits of the Khasi people, including music, dance, food, toys, fruits and vegetables of all kinds that are traditionally-based and locally sourced. There was excitement in the air as the efforts putting to protect and promote Khasi music and culture was being conducted.
As a celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence and 50 years of Meghalaya’s statehood, the cultural inclusivity of India under the aegis Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, a cultural initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to celebrate the diversity of the tribal cultures in the country.
Rhythms have been the strongest creative point of the Khasi group of people, where the convergence of Arts and Science of sound by virtue of the skin instruments come to live, hence, by-passing the mind to connect straight with the heart. KSING as an event is a culmination of creative thoughts, heartfelt nitty-gritty, hyper-local nuances, traditions and evolving cultures of the Khasi hills, yet, still connected to and with the cultural roots. The word KSING literally meaning Drum in Khasi also signifies rhythms, celebrations, feel and cultural festivals that of traditional origin.
A varied and assorted cultural items adorned this one day festival, including the first time ever public display of Ka Jingrwai Iawbei – a heart song blessed by the mother to her child, Tem Ksing Phong, Tem Kdor, Ngoh Krai dance, Shad sut or sut dance, Shad kiew iing – literally meaning House Warming dance (Shad skain, Rwai saw Rishot and Shad khyrdem) and Shad Mastieh or Mastieh Dance.
Shillong, Nov. 06: The Department of Mass Media from the time of its inception has been organizing various festivals and art exhibitions. The continuous of this long-standing tradition, a Two-Days Fest, namely, “Manik Raitong: Festival of Legacy and Kinship” is being organized on the 3rd and 4th of November 2022. This two-day program is an initiative of the 5th Semester students of Media Technologies, Mass Media Department, St. Anthony’s College. The event aims to reignite the rich traditions- and celebrate the legacy that this region has inherited and invoke a sense of belonging among the populace of Shillong.
St Anthons College organized The Manik Raitong Festival of Legacy and Kinship o
The first day of the event, i.e., 3rd November 2022, featured the inauguration of the program. It included prayer, music performance, and lighting of the lamp by our chief guest Mr. Raphael Warjri following his speech. The Principal, Br Albert L. Dkhar, of the College, and Dr. Etawanda Saiborne Department of Mass Media, also addressed the event. A stunning street play by the students took over the latter half of the event. The play was an adaptation of the Manik Raitong movie. Mr. Benedict Skhmelang Hynniewta graced the event with his soulful flute performance. The event then continued indoors with an interactive session with Mr. Benedict and Mr.Treiborlang Mawlong, moderated by Junisha Khongwir, assistant professor of the Mass Media Department. A cultural dance performance followed the interactive session by the students of the college.
The first day of the event was closed by the student coordinator of the Department of Mass Media, Melvin Dkhar, with a vote of thanks. Drawing inspiration from the legendary figure of Manik Raitong, an Art Exhibition is also
organized. Artworks of various genres such as modern art, abstract art, and many more are exhibited. The Art Exhibition is being displayed in the Conference Hall (IT-Media Annexe). The Art Exhibition was officially opened by Mr. Raphael Warjri the chief guest of the event, on 3rd November. To make the event more grandeur artworks of renowned artists such as Mario Pathaw, Treiborlang Mawlong, Federick D. Hynniewta, and Thomas M. Umlong are also on display in the gallery. Besides the above-mentioned artworks, the young budding artists of the Mass Media Department are also displaying their outstanding works of art. The art display will remain open till the evening of 4th November 2022.
The Manik Raitong Fest will bridge the gap between knowing and practicing the long-lost traditions by outlining and showcasing them through the various activities that will take place.
Shillong,Nov, 01: To invoke a sense of belongingness to the traditions of the land, the 5th-semester students of the Mass Media Department at St. Anthony’s College have come up with a two-day event Manik Raitong Fest, to celebrate the legacy and kinship among folks of the land.
The programme will take place inside the college campus on the 3rd and 4th of November 2022. The first day of the event will begin at 10 am which will include the inauguration of the event, followed by a cultural dance performance. An interactive session with the resource person, Treiborlang Mawlong, guest speaker Junisha Khongwir and a flute performance by the guest speaker, Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta will also take place. The program on the first day will end with a street play, enacted by the students of the Mass Media department at St. Anthony’s College, Shillong.
The second day will feature a panel discussion with the four panellists, Dr Shobhan Lamare-History department (NEHU), Sylvasius Lamare-Principal of St. Edmund’s College, Ester Syiem English Department (NEHU), Etawanda Saiborne-Mass media department (St. Anthony’s College). An interactive session will follow this with the resource person, Mario Pathaw and a play enacted by the students of the Mass Media department. The event will be concluded with a live concert performance by Alexender Damon Warlarpih and Rhem.
After this performance, the formal declaration of closing of the event will take place. On both days, photography and an art exhibition will be held on campus. Here, the students of the college will exhibit their work. The photographs will also be up for sale at a cost-effective price.
The event will be open to all with tickets. These tickets will be sold at the venue, i.e., the college campus.
The Manik Raitong Fest will bridge the gap between knowing and practising the long-lost traditions by outlining and showcasing them through the various activities that will take place.
Guwahati; Dec 30: Spellbinding an audience from all across the north-eastern region, Sanwaka Surong from Meghalaya, Pema Choden Bhutia from Sikkim, and Danube Kangjam from Manipur were crowned the title winners of 18th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021 at the ITA Cultural Complex, Machkhowa on Wednesday evening.
The contestants traveled to Guwahati for several days of activities including grooming and training sessions conducted by Mega Entertainment, brand photoshoots and activities, followed by rehearsals, leading up to the Grand Finale of the pageant.
Earlier, Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment, had announced that there would be no runners-up titles in Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021, and all three winners would be crowned equally as winners of the pageant, with equal prize packages and benefits.
Speaking at the grand finale of the event, he said that Mega Entertainment was delighted to introduce the three winners of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2021 – Danube, Sanwaka and Pema.
“They have struggled their way to the top, managing to beat 47 other contestants. We are so proud and excited to be a part of their incredible journey,” Singha said.
20-year-old Pema Choden Bhutia, who hails from Sivik Lingdok, Sikkim, is currently pursuing her B. Tech in Civil Engineering in Bengaluru.
Speaking about her crowning moment, Pema says, “This is a dream come true. Sunsilk Mega Miss North East is a platform that not only gives women an opportunity to be themselves but also helps them to learn and grow. It helps women evolve and develop a vision for their lives.”
Pema has a vision to use her title and influence to advocate for education of the underprivileged. She also aims to represent her state in the Miss India pageant.
The youngest and most pampered of five siblings, Sanwaka Surong from Shillong is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Tourism.
She says, “I am still unable to believe that I actually won the crown. I feel truly blessed and the feeling is indescribable. I feel so grateful to God – if it was not for Him, and for the love and support of my family and my friends, realizing this dream would not have been possible for me.”
Twenty-one-year-old Sanwaka has lost both her parents, but with the help of her loved ones, she still stands strong.
She aims to use her own experience to help other orphans cope with the loss of their loved ones and help them understand that there will always be people to love them and support them.
She believes that losing somebody one loves should not weaken them, rather it should help one derive strength from the fact that they will always be beside in spirit and guide from above.
Her vision is to help promote responsible tourist behavior, so that the pristine nature of a tourist spot is not destroyed with irresponsible littering, overcrowding, and disrespectful behavior towards local people, their cultures and customs.
Another 21-year-old Danube Kangjam from Imphal, who is currently pursuing her law education, was inspired by Mega Miss North East 2015 Jessica Marbaniang, and since then it has been a dream for her to participate in this pageant.
She has been preparing for this day all along and says that winning the crown is indeed a dream come true.
“This pageant holds a very special place in my heart, and my ambition to come here brought me into the world of pageantry through the state pageant. So, I feel really grateful and happy on winning this crown.” Danube said.
She believes that this title will help her influence the youth and amplify her reach to a wider audience.
She aims to use her voice to speak out on a variety of social issues that concerns her like cybercrime, LGBT rights, body positivity and self-acceptance.
She looks forward to participating in national pageants to take her vision forward.
The three winners were bestowed with gifts and vouchers worth approximately Rs. 1 lakh each, as well as Personal Accidental Insurance worth Rs. 20 lakhs each.
The top-15 contestants participated in the Evening Gown presentation, where they showcased the creations by top fashion designers and brands like Jansai, Karan Thokchom, Arif Mukhim, and the Official Designer of Mega Entertainment Dipika Devi.
The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winners included: Fashion & Lifestyle Promoter Monika Devi, advocate Manish Kr. Das, Mega Miss North East 2012 Ibethoi Thokchom, Fashion Designer Arif Mukhim, and Mega Miss North East 2018 and Femina Miss India Assam Jyotismita Baruah.
The pageant organizers were also judged for a series of sub-awards.
Nishigandha Gogoi won the Sohum Miss Trendy subtitle, Pema Choden Bhutia won Radisson Blu Miss Hospitality, Jyotika Boruah won Eyetex Dazller Miss Beautiful Face, Sanwaka Surong won the Shouthout NE India Miss Tourism North East subtitle, Moyuri Deori won the Pageant Times Miss Popular subtitle and Ringjoy Leivon was awarded the Sunsilk Hair Hacks Diva subtitle.
Shillong Feb 20: The film, Nabon – A Journey of Faith, has been again selected for screening in one of the biggest film festivals in the country in Bengaluru besides a film competition at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh to be held this month.
Nabon will feature in the 11th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFF) in Bengaluru organized by the Karnataka Chalanachitra (Film) Academy of the Karnataka government from February 21 to 28.
Nabon has been selected for screening for UNSUNG INCREDIBLE INDIA along with five other films from across the country. Besides Nabon, one flim from Meghalaya in Garo language tilted ‘MA AMMA’ was also selected.
This is the fifth time that Nabon will feature in film festivals in the country.
At Itanagar, NABON was selected to compete in the film competition of the Itanagar International Film Festival, 2019. The competition is being organized specifically only for films from North East India. The festival will be held from February 22 to 24 and it is being organized by the Information & Public Relations of the Arunachal Pradesh govenrment.
The three-day festival will have 35 films which include films from India and other countries.
In this competition, seven films selected for the completion will be also screened in the festival.
Nabon is a film produced by the Jingiaseng Samla KJP Synod Sepngi and directed by K.K. Kharlukhi. The film was arranged by Carol’s Production and Filmtel inc.
The film talks about the life of Nabon, the first Christian in Khasi Jaiñtia hills of Meghalaya and the events that took place from 1841 onwards at Mawmluh and Sohra area. It also highlights problems and challenges faced by Nabon in her journey to know about Christ.
Shillong Sept 22: A book named ‘A Return to Poetry’ written by former minister, Paul Lyngdoh was released at a function here on Saturday.
Vice Chancellor of Don Bosco University, Guahati, Fr Stephen Mavely who was the chief guest on the occasion, released the book in the presence of former home minister, RG Lyngdoh, IGNOU director, Dr A Guha, Prof Desmond Kharmawphlang and others.
The book is a collection of poems written both in Khasi language and English.
The release of Lyngdoh’s book came months after he lost the February 27-Assembly polls from West Shillong.
Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh who is also the working president of the United Democratic Party (UDP) said, “I am writing poems but it does not mean I am retiring (from politics). It is because in them that I find peace.”
Stressing the need to support young and budding poem writers in the state, Lyngdoh however said that one cannot expect to make money out of writing.
He also emphasized the need to promote talented youth in different fields.
New Delhi January 24: Veteran actor Anupam Kher, whose movie ‘The Big Sick’ has been nominated for an Oscar at the 90th annual Academy Awards, said he is proud to be a part of the movie.
The actor took to his Twitter and congratulated the writers Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon for the nod.
He tweeted, “Congratulations Emily V Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani for the Oscar Nominations for Best Original Screenplay for ‘The Big Sick’. So proud to be part of this gem of a film. Jai Ho.”
Nanjiani and his wife Emily are nominated for Best Original Screenplay for the film, which also featured Anupam Kher.
The Big Sick, a romantic comedy, is directed by Michael Showalter and written by Gordon and Nanjiani. The movie also stars Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano and Adeel Akhtar.
The flick is based on the real-life romance between Nanjiani and Gordon and follows an interracial couple who must deal with cultural differences after Emily (played by Kazan in the film) becomes ill.
