Special programme held to recognize unique cultural practises of Kongthong village

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Joining hands with the rest of the country to commemorate the ensuing Janajatiya Gaurav Divas –Tribal Pride Week, being launched to recognize the valiant efforts of tribal freedom fighters, a special programme was held at Kongthong, the 'song and whistling' village over the weekend to recognize the unique cultural practises of the village as part of the continuing celebrations of Tribal Pride Week.

The programme was anchored by the Department of Arts & Culture in collaboration with Tourism,Sports Departments, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT),CRPF,Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) and the village authorities who actively joined hands to commemorate the Janajatiya Gaurav Divas in a befitting and meaningful manner.

To recognize the unique cultural practise of Jingrwai Iawbei or musical name calling of Kongthong village which also has earned the village a distinction of being India's nominee as 'Best Tourism Village' to the UNWTO, various departments and stakeholders are collaborating in the present period by organizing several activities at Kongthong village to highlight and recognize its unique cultural practise, which has earned it several accolades within the State and also at international levels.

Amongst the plethora of activities and in recognition of the unique cultural space it occupies, the village was awarded two special artistic plaques awarded by Arts & Culture Department and Tourism Departments respectively, which were handed over to the village authorities and to the custodians of Kongthong's unique cultural practise.

The NIFT prepared 75 flags and distributed it to the performers as part of Azadi Ka Mahotsav, besides 50 flags to the village authorities to mark the State's golden jubilee. The CRPF also arranged for 75 saplings, which were symbolically planted all over the village as part of India@75. The Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) anchored a lively and participative workshop on Sustainable Tourism/Sustainable Livelihoods and Intangible Heritage for the village authorities and the village tourism entrepreneurs as part of Village@75. Other key highlights also included ensemble performances and cultural demonstrations of Jingrwai Iawbei-musical name calling, personalized song names and tunes by the 75 performers and children of the Indigeneous Agro Tourism Cooperative Society of Kongthong.

FR Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts & Culture, who represented the Department, in his address,while lauding Kongthong village for its unique cultural practice and acclaim earned through cultural tourism, also informed that the department had already produced a specially composed Freedom Song composed in folk fusion style, extolling and celebrating the three Brave Hearts of Meghalaya-U Tirot Singh,U Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan Sangma, representing Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes along with other unsung heroes.

He also informed that as part of the 'Janajatiya Gaurav Divas' and in active collaboration with the ICCR, the Department is at an advanced stage of preparation of a special docuseries –Revisiting The Warrior Heroes of Meghalaya, an audio-video docu drama based on the three warrior heroes of Meghalaya, which will revisit the heroic lives and their brave exploits against the colonial powers.

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