Shillong,July 21: Meghalaya on Friday got its first ever open-air Amphitheatre for entertainment, performances, and sports.
The Amphitheatre was officially inaugurated by Minister in-charge Arts and Culture, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh at the Tribal Research Institute Campus, Mawlai Nongkwar, here.
Dedicating the amphitheatre to the people, Lyngdoh in his address said that with many great artists in the state, there was a felt need for creating good infrastructure and facilities so as to enable them to showcase their talents.
Admitting that lack of platform has hampered the growth of young talents in the state, the Minister hoped that with the construction of this facility, talents could be nurtured and promoted in a big way.
Lyngdoh also called upon the people especially the youth to uphold their culture and tradition and promote their own traditional dance and music which is the essence of the tribal people.
He also urged upon talented persons to take advantage of this amphitheatre and maintain it properly.
Giving a brief report about the project, Arts and Culture director, Matsiewdor War Nongbri informed that the Amphitheatre at Shillong was constructed by the Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation Limited from January 2015 and completed in February this year at a total cost of Rs. 1.96 crore.
She said that the state government had sanctioned Rs. 5.88 crore for construction of Amphitheatres at Shillong, Jowai and Tura.
Presentation of traditional songs and dances of the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos added flavours to the inauguration ceremony.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Mawlai MLA, Embhahlang Syiemlieh, Mawlai MDC, P.T. Sawkmie, Mawlai Town Dorbar vice-president, Kynsai M Lyngdoh in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary, P.W. Ingty, Headman of Mawlai Nongkwar, R R Thangkhiew, students and teachers from different schools of Mawlai.
