The highly anticipated Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) Season 2 was officially launched on Wednesday by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in a vibrant event that has left music enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.
In the melodious ceremony held at the upscale commercial hub Khyndailad, Police Bazar in Shillong, the MGMP, in collaboration with the Tourism Department and The Meghalayan Age, unveiled the second season of MGMP, that kicks off from Wednesday. The audience was treated to an unforgettable musical extravaganza featuring incredibly talented artistes that left everyone spellbound.
The atmosphere at Khyndailad was musical, with music enthusiasts of all ages swaying to the rhythm of three incredible bands – Sur Ki Nongkyndong, Colours, and Na u Bnai. Their soul-stirring melodies resonated in the hearts of the audience, leaving them crave for more.
Launching the MGMP Season-2, the chief minister highlighted that Meghalaya’s unique contribution in supporting independent music and musicians and having programmes like MGMP is the first of its kind in the country.
“Today, we embark on a journey to celebrate the soul of Meghalaya through music. Our state is a treasure trove of talent, and the MGMP Season-2 is our way of showcasing our vibrant culture and nurturing our local musicians,” Sangma said.
Through this MGMP, in the first season itself, the chief minister said over 1600 artistes have performed in more than 3000 occasions. “Of all the revenue that is generated through tourism activities in the state, we were able to share some part of it to the artistes leading to promotion of music industry and thereby, benefiting our local people,” he informed.
In the MGMP season-2, the chief minister said that his government is going to make this project even bigger and have performances not merely confined to music but also folklore, drama, acts, stand-up comedy, and others.
Voicing confidence that this initiative will push Meghalaya towards remarkable achievements, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “Shillong, is poised to become the nation’s music capital and will soon echo with the vibrant tunes of our local talent.”
In the upcoming season, Lyngdoh said the government’s commitment extends to reaching every corner of the state, including every district headquarters, ensuring that our music resonates throughout the hills.
“With these developments, the music scene in Meghalaya is poised to thrive and lead our state to become the top destination for tourism in India,” he expressed optimism.