Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The SPIC MACAY Dibrugarh Chapter finished its inaugural Western classical music series this week after two days of performances. Yamaha Artist Nise Meruno led the tour alongside the Tetso College Ensemble from Nagaland and Dibrugarh pianist Devanga Bidrum Kalita. The musicians played at three different schools to highlight classical traditions.
The series started September 29 at D.H.S.K. (Autonomous) College in Dibrugarh, drawing 350 students and staff. The next day, the troupe performed for 250 people at Budding Buds Higher Secondary School in Tinsukia. The finale took place that evening at Dibrugarh University. It reached a crowd of 400, including locals and university members. It was a massive turnout.
The setlist mixed Western staples with Naga folk-fusion and original works. The artists played Giacomo Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro,” Gaetano Donizetti’s “Una furtiva lagrima,” Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus,” César Franck’s “Panis Angelicus,” and the hymn “Abide with Me.” They also performed “O Sole Mio” and “Canon in D.”
Organisers noted that for many, this was a first-time exposure to live Western classical music. The tour marks the 50th anniversary of the national organisation. The group plans 200 total shows across the Northeast to mark the occasion. The Dibrugarh Chapter alone has run 32 events in 2025, touching 20,000 students. This specific tour was their fourth this year.
Financial backing came from the SRF Foundation and the Jyoti Lalita Kanoi Foundation. The latter, managed by philanthropist Jyoti Prasad Kanoi, focuses on regional social and educational projects. The chapter thanked its patrons and the school Heritage Clubs for the help. They promise more shows soon. “Organisers said the programmes gave many attendees their first opportunity to watch a live Western classical performance and learn about the traditions associated with the music.”
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