Curtains down on Dimchrang festival

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

TURA, Dec 17: The air was filled with melody and rhythm at Ampati in South West Garo Hills as ‘Spunk and Gravity’ — rock bands— took to the centre-stage during the Dimchrang festival, swaying the crowd to the tunes of songs and music.

 Spunk, popularly known as “India’s desi band”, made their debut in Meghalaya and was thrilled with the response of the crowd who were crooning to the numbers belted out by the rock band from Mumbai.

‘Gravity’ from Assam performed as the curtain raiser followed by bands—Spunk, Haystack ladies, Notes of Arongga and Safe ‘N’ Sound.

 ‘Gravity’, a group of young and energetic performers, also enthralled the audience with their wonderful rendition of Bollywood songs. The local bands performed Garo songs and enthralled the audience with Christmas numbers, setting the mood right for the upcoming festive sprit.

 Through the rock concert, the artistes urged the people to spread the message of love, joy and peace. “We are happy to perform at Ampati. The crowd is awesome and we would love to come to Meghalaya and Northeast again. The people in this part of the country loves music,” said Abhishek Chatterjee of the Spunk.  

The two-day festival gave a platform to the local talents as well as opportunity to the artists and entrepreneurs to exhibit and market their skills and products.

 “Through the Dimchrang festival, we give a platform to the youth and ensure that the people of the region get a glimpse of entertainment activities. It is with such programmes that we want to promote Garo Hills as a destition to experience our culture and traditions,” said deputy commissioner of South West Garo Hills Cyril V.D. Diengdoh.

 As part of the festival, different talent competitions, fancy dress, indigenous sports, volleyball, 3-a-side football for under-12 boys, painting, poster making and other competitions were organized.

The district administration of South West Garo Hills and Ampati Arts and Culture Society, in collaboration with Meghalaya Tourism, ebled the local community in understanding the importance of conservation and promotion of culture as a means of sustaible livelihood during the festival.