Shillong, January 22: Shillong on Wednesday resonated with global musical traditions as the 11th India International Dance and Music Festival commenced at the U Soso Tham Auditorium. The two-day festival is being organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Zonal Office North East, in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya.
The cultural exchange programme was attended by MLA and Adviser to the Social Welfare Department, Bah Paul Lyngdoh, as the Chief Guest, along with ICCR North East Director N. Munish Singh and State Director of Arts and Culture, I. Majaw. Deputy Director General, ICCR, New Delhi, Ms. Manisha Swami, IFS, was also present.
The festival, earlier inaugurated in New Delhi, has been hosted in cities including Bangalore, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Jammu and Chandigarh, with Shillong serving as a key destination in the North East.
The opening evening featured a captivating performance by the Aalam Folk Music Group from Kyrgyzstan, offering audiences a glimpse into Central Asia’s rich musical heritage. The festival will conclude on January 23 with performances by a musical ensemble from Burkina Faso and the renowned Maldivian fusion rock band “20fus”.
Speaking on the occasion, Bah Paul Lyngdoh underscored the role of cultural exchange programmes in fostering mutual understanding among nations and promoting Meghalaya as a vibrant cultural hub. He said such international platforms encourage artistic collaboration and exposure, particularly for young artists.
The India International Dance and Music Festival seeks to strengthen people-to-people ties through music and dance while celebrating global cultural diversity and artistic excellence.
