Music &
Culture

The Shillong Chamber Choir, founded in 2001 by Neil Nongkynrih is a multi-genre choir which won the reality TV show India’s Got Talent in 2010. The same year also saw the choir being awarded three gold awards at the 6th World Choir Games for Musica Sacra, Gospel and Popular Music. They also performed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for visiting US President Barak Obama and Michelle Obama during their state visit to India. The choir’s versatility ranges from performances with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Fitz William Quartet to collaborations with known icons like Amitabh Bachchan for the opening of Kaun Banega Crorepati season 6. The show is said to have had the highest opening in 2012 across all shows on all general entertainment channels, breaking all previous records. They have also teamed up with other recognized names like Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Usha Uthup. Their Christmas album in 2011 became the highest selling in the country for non-cinematic music. A notable collaboration that took place on the 1st of March 2013 was seeing Neil Nongkynrih on the piano, the voices of the Shillong Chamber Choir and Ustad Zakir Hussain on tabla.

Sunita Khaund Bhuyan has many firsts to her credit. An accomplished violinist as well as an eminent HR professional, she is a pioneer in using music for training on Wellbeing, leadership and Change through the medium of music, for CEOs to students across the world. Her music therapy workshops for more than 25,000 street & slum children has gotten her a recognition from the Pope himself at the Vatican in 2016

Sunita Bhuyan is the first violinist in India to play Assamese folk on the classical instrument the violin and fuse it with Scottish & Irish & World folk . Her album Bihu strings by Times Music is the only album of folk on the violin in India . Trained in Hindustani classical from her mother Minoti Khaund of Assam and later from her guru Padmabhushan Pt. V.G. Jog in Kolkata, Sunita has travelled the world both through her inspiring workshops and thematic concerts with long stints in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Her awards includes the Global Culture champion for She Inpires UN in UK, Pride of Maharashtra award, Priyadarshini award for Music, Giants International award, Rotary International award, Women of the Decade by Women’s economic forum, Governor’s award for Pandemic support, Pride of Maharashtra award, Prag Prerona award, Global Icon award, British Parliament award for Music etc.

Sunita and her group recently concluded a series of programs in G20 summits, as well as for Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav for India @75 in Expo Dubai India Pavilion, Consulate of India New York, High Commission of India in UK , Tribute to Her Highness Queen Elizabeth, Vijay Diwas at the Victoria Memorial? enthralling the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji amongst other dignitaries.

With oozing confidence and a warm smile, 20-year-old Imnainla Jamir missed no notes while delivering one of the most unusual musical crossovers. The fusion of a Western musical instrument with one of the most intrinsic markers of Indian identity – the national anthem – during the opening ceremony of the 10-day cultural extravaganza on 1 December seems to have rightfully come from the heart of a festival where music forms a core pillar. Imnainla Jamir is the Global Ambassador of Masterpeace COO Leaders program. She is an Electric Guitarist who has become a household name in India.

Augustine founded the band Featherheads Haokui in 2016 with an aim to safeguard and promote the culture and oral traditions of the Tangkhul Naga tribe. The band met on weekdays for their jam sessions and performed in churches on Sunday mornings. People loved the vibe they brought on stage and started approaching them to perform in events outside the church. The popularity of the band also took off as they performed in music festivals across the country before they made their international debut at the Northeast India Festival at Bangkok Thailand in 2019. However, as their popularity grew, so did the scrutiny as to how they were portraying the Tangkhul culture.

Sofiyum – the first of its kind Lepcha folk fusion band based at Gangtok, was formed in the year 2011, with a common love for fusing traditional Lepcha folk songs with contemporary styles of music. It is a seven-member band with Mickma Tshering Lepcha. They have played in the state and went on to perform their first major gig at Shillong in 2012 for World Music Day headlined by the likes of Guru Reuben, Shillong Chamber Choir and Na Rympei.

With the internet and other platforms opening new avenues to showcase talent, let’s hope that this folk fusion band will pave a way for more of such collaborations which will not only make good music but also leave a lasting impression through the preservation of culture and reintroducing folk to the present generation.

Pangpari, a dynamic singer-songwriter from Aizawl, Mizoram, captivates audiences with her soulful blend of pop, indie, and touches of jazz. Known for her emotive lyrics and unique sound, she brings the vibrant spirit of Mizoram into every performance. Her voice, effortlessly transitioning from upbeat pop rhythms to introspective indie melodies, has made her a standout in the Northeast’s evolving music scene. Pangpari’s music not only reflects her individuality but also resonates deeply with listeners, offering a refreshing take on modern music while staying true to her cultural roots.

Basavdutta Chongtham, known by her stage name BASAV is an Artist from Imphal, Manipur. She is a Singer, Song-Writer, Painter and also writes Poetry. She is the last of 5 daughters of Dr. Ch. Narendra Singh and Ch. (O) Subadani Devi. She started singing and performing at a young age as she grew up in a musical household and was always encouraged by her family to get on the Stage. She has been performing since she was 7 years old, when she turned 13 she was in a rock band with her eldest sister, She has performed in many Concerts including The Counterfeit Beatles Tribute Concert, Imphal, 2010; The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, 2019; Wildernest Festival, Imphal, 2023 etc. She also regularly performs in Local events and gigs. She writes and composes her own songs and talks about the reality of life through her Music and Art