Video | Khasi musical heritage of Meghalaya – introduction

Watch a series of short videos portraits researched and filmed by Gayatri Indira Vijaysimha and Dev Narayan Chaudhuri (Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai): young and senior members of the Khasi community who enjoy music making for a variety of reasons.

What unites them is a commitment, namely to provide future generations with access to a living music tradition of their own. So each part documents a different facet of Khasi music and its revival in North-East India:

Part 1. Khasi music revival – the stories of two young duitara players >>

khasi_video_screenshot_01_duitara — Duitara played by Kong Batthimai
Kong Batthimai, a vegetable vendor and singer celebrates music as a source of joy; for her and her community, it is also a means of attaining knowledge and enlightenment …
Duration: 04:28

Part 2. Khasi music and ethos – a tradition relating to nature >>

khasi_video_screenshot_02_jeebonroyakademi — Jeebon Roy Memorial Creative Arts Akademi
The Khasi community’s sense of self-esteem and longing for a life in harmony with nature means that music is taught at a young age.
Duration: 01:31

Part 3. Khasi music – the resilience of a tradition in an age of globalization >>

khasi_video_screenshot_03_jeebonroyakademi — Jeebon Roy Memorial Creative Arts Akademi
The Jeebon Roy Memorial Creative Arts Akademi has its origins in the Seng Khasi movement which began as a challenge to British domination and now counters the growing influence of western popular music by promoting the region’s cultural heritage.
Duration: 02:49

Part 4. Khasi cultural heritage taught and promoted by Snap Paka >>

khasi_video_screenshot_04_snap-paka — Snap Paka school ensemble
Being rooted in the Seng Khasi movement, members of the “Snap Paka” school ensemble celebrate their culture and religion by playing several music instruments in traditional attire. The thanksgiving festivities of rural communities provide senior musicians with an opportunity to tour the Khasi Hills.
Duration: 04:42

Part 5. Khasi music and education – how a local tradition secularizes itself >>

khasi_video_screenshot_05_lutheruniversity — Prof. Helen Giri – Martin Luther Christian University
At the Martin Luther Christian University in Shillong, traditional Khasi music is taught as a post-graduate subject. The interview concludes with a brief vocal and instrumental performance by Kerius Wallang.
Duration: 02:18

Part 6. Khasi music by Kerius Wallang & film credits >>

khasi_video_screenshot_06_kerius_wallang — Singer Kerius Wallang
A vocal and instrumental performance by Kerius Wallang accompanies the film credits.
Duration: 01:15

Learn more about Meghalaya >>

“The tribes and castes in India are communities apart. Those who belong to castes belong to no tribes, and those who belong to tribes are outside the caste pyramid. What brings them together is probably their love for songs.” – Ganesh Devy in What unites Indians is a love for songs | Caste | Publications >>

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