Shillong, Oct 20: The tenth death anniversary of legendary singer late Skendrowell Syiemlieh was commemorated on Saturday.

The function was organized by the Forum for Change and Upliftment of Society in collaboration with the Skendrowell Death Anniversary Celebration Committee, on Saturday at Madan Mot Tirot, Mairang.

Shillong MP, Vincent H. Pala who graced the occasion recalled the works of Skendrowell that had also helped promote the Khasi literature through songs.

He also lauded the family of the late singer, especially his wife and children who put in all efforts to promote Khasi literature in the form of music by following the footsteps of their father.

Pala also called upon authors, singers and artists to come together in uplifting the community and push the Khasi language which deserved to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Skendrowell’s wife, Klipsy Marbañiang also spoke at the function while his children performed two songs composed by the late singer.

The MP along with other guests released the Documentary Film on the life of Skendrowell.

Discussion on the contributions of late Skendrowell in the field of literature and music to the Hynñiewtrep people was also held in the afternoon, followed by singing competition of Khasi traditional songs in the evening in which Tourism Minister who is also the MLA of Mairang constituency, Metbah Lyngdoh graced the occasion.

Skendrowell who died on October 21, 2008 was the renowned Khasi folk singer. He was the master musician and an accomplished artist of the folk instrument known as the ‘duitara’. He was also the playback singer for the Khasi film U Manik Raitong.

He was the recipient of many awards, including a best vocalist award in 1975, and the U Tirot Sing Award for Arts and Literature in 1991. Actively associated with the All India Radio Shillong since 1962, Syiemlieh was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri Award in Arts by the Government of India in 2009.

Skendrowell, the Khasi bard, singer, and radio artist, had spent a good part of his adult life serving the society through songs for which he created his own lyrics and tune. However the renowned singer went unrecognized all those years until a Guwahati-based trust, the Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka (JRMDG) Charitable Trust, recognised this humble soul with a lifetime achievement award, posthumously, on December 6, 2008.