Curtains come down on Monolith Festival

FROM OUR REPORTER

SHILLONG, April 3: The Monolith Festival 2016 came to a grand finish on Saturday night with thousands immersed in the rich musical and cultural display by artistes who made the masses sway to their tunes.

It was a brilliant setting at the Khasi Heritage Village, Mawphlang and a fantastic atmosphere created by the by thousands of participants who truly made the second edition of the Monolith Festival a grand success.

Though rains rain disturbed the proceedings, the crowd was not the one to budge and held on to its position as the cultural extravaganza went on uninterrupted.

On display on the third day of the event were various dance forms from different parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Also in the stage were known mes like Bennedict Hynniewta, Ra Kharkongor and the famous local band Snow White who enthralled the crowd.

A traditiol fashion show and performance by Australian aborigil group Nuragunya were other major attractions of the day.

There was also the festivity and merry making at the various food stalls which the people relished with equal zeal.

The last day of the event was also graced by the presence of District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, local MLA of Mawphlang Kennedy Khyriem and a host of other MDCs including KHADC CEM PN Syiem. Lyngdoh, while lauding the KHADC for organising such a grand event, expressed hope that the event will even go on to beat the Hornbill Festival of the gas in the years to come.

PN Syiem, meanwhile, reiterated that unity, protection and growth of Khasi culture were the Council’s foremost concern. Other dignitaries present also urged the Khasi youths to stick to their roots and beautiful culture.

The dance performed by the Raid Nongkynrih, depicting legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Singh’s battle against the British also spellbound the audience.

The Jabulo dance was another item that drew tremendous applause. The fancied costumes of the dancers were especially a hit.

The Australian aborigil group Nuragunya, who were at the Fest for an exchange of culture, also displayed their way of life, culture and tradition through an animated dance.

The three-member group also presented gifts to KHADC CEM PN Syiem and EM Neil Antonio War stating that the Nuragunya have the custom of gifting people to whose lands they traverse to.

The Australian tribe was also greeted in unison by the crowd which called out “wada” (hello in their local language) and the visitors responded with a khublei.

The traditiol fashion show presenting maidens and young Khasi youth in the day to day attires of the Khasis evoked huge applause. The man with the ‘golden flute’, Bennedict Hynniewta also mesmerized all and sundry with his soothing tunes.