Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma honored 15 emerging musicians in Tura on July 29. The event celebrated talent from the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills regions. It marked the latest chapter of the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme. Sangma confirmed top performers from each region now land direct slots at the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival and the Me.Gong Festival.
The program began in 2022. It aims to turn music into a real paycheck. Figures show over 7,750 artists have played 38,000 shows across cafes and major events. The government invested ₹38.7 crore into the initiative. Each musician typically earns ₹10,000 per gig.
Fifteen finalists received certificates of appreciation at the ceremony. Judges gave special awards to Chegim Durama, Leo Boys, and the band Larger Than 90. Durama also took home the Achiever of the Month title. Sangma praised the winners during his address. "The idea is very simple. To simply give a pat on your back and tell you that we recognise you; we are proud of you," he said.
Participants have already toured. They played the Strawberry Festival, the Shillong Literary Festival, and the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival in New Delhi. Some even reached the WAVES Summit in Mumbai and the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Starly Chullai of the group Quiet Storm credited the program for his comeback. He called the initiative a blessing that helped him quit substance abuse.
Artists pushed for more support. They requested grants for original tracks and better travel options for those in remote areas. They also asked for production workshops and a dedicated annual festival for CM-MGMP musicians.
Comments