Shillong, 14th Oct 2022: The two days’ Tri Hills Ensemble was inaugurated today by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma in the presence of Minister, Arts and Culture, Shanbor Shullai. Also present were Commissioner, Arts & Culture, Frederick Roy Kharkongor and Director, Arts & Culture, S K Marak.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural function, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the current year is very significant as India celebrates 75th Anniversary of Freedom and Meghalaya celebrates 50th anniversary of Statehood.
“It is in the right earnest that we are having a cultural program of this kind for two days, to not just celebrate our culture, but also to recognize the fact that we have touched 50 years as a state and have also touched 75 years as a country,” he said. He also added that such programs help us to recollect and remind ourselves of the great History that we have.
The Chief Minister also said that everyone especially the younger generation needs to be educated and made aware of their culture and roots. “These two days are not just simply a celebration of the different cultures that we have but it’s more of a reminder and more of a mechanism for us to ensure that the younger generation do not forget who they are and be proud of our roots but at the same time respect other cultures,” he said.
He further said that preserving the culture is an important aspect that needs to be given due weightage. “We would like to give financial support to the six villages that have been awarded today so that they can continue the good work that they are doing and we will ensure that this kind of reward and recognition is done annually because it encourages other villages,” he said.
He also mooted the idea of using technology and creating database so that information about the history, culture and tradition can be accessed. “While we are ensuring that we preserve our culture and tradition and pass it on to the young generation it is also important to see how we could use this in order to enrich the experience of the different tourists who come into our State which would then become a USP for the State,” he added.
The Chief Minister also conferred the Award of Recognition for Development of Arts and Crafts Villages to six villages viz Mawryngkhang, east Khasi Hills for being Home to Traditional Musical Instruments, Larnai, West Jaintia Hills for Home of Black Clay Pottery, Pahambir, Ri-Bhoi District, The Abode of Folklore, Tangmang, East Khasi Hills, The Shken Weavers Habitat, Mairang, Eastern-West Khasi Hills, The Arts District and Amindagre, West Garo Hills, A Living Woodcraft Museum.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also unveiled the statues of the three brave hearts of Meghalaya, U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah and Pa Togan Nengminza at the premises. An Animated Publication of Unsung Heroes was also released during the occasion and the Chief Minister also felicitated during the function.
A number of stalls showcasing the art, culture and food and other attractions were set up in the premises. The festival is an ensemble of micro workshops and repositories portraying the culture, cuisine, crafts, attire, songs, dances and drama of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.
