Workshop on Crafting

SHILLONG, MAR 12: A five-day Workshop on Crafting and Playing techniques of Traditional Musical Instruments organized by the Department of Arts & Culture began at Ampati Multi-Facility Centre, here on Monday.

The department is organizing such workshops in all districts across the state to preserve and promote the traditional musical instruments and to teach the young generations the art of crafting and playing these instruments.

Addressing the participants during the brief inaugural session of the workshop, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Cyril Darlong Diengdoh expressed his pride about the rich heritage and culture of the people of the state and said that music is something very close to our hearts. It is important to expose our younger generations to the dying forms of art and culture and ensure that the knowledge of their own traditional musical instruments is transferred to the students and youths, he said. He expressed his happiness that the workshop will act as a platform for them not only to get exposure to their indigenous musical instruments but also learn the art of making and playing these instruments, which can also be taken up as a career option. Informing about the presence of different arts & cultural societies and clubs in the district, the Deputy Commissioner also suggested that these societies can also be involved in the workshop. He also made a suggestion to the Education department to see how traditional musical instruments can be used in the school curriculum, like SUPW classes, making it more interesting for the studentts.

Earlier, in her introductory address, Archivist of the department, Shillong, D. Kharjana informed that similar workshop would also organized at Baghmara during this week and said that certificates and mementos would be presented to all participants towards the end of the 5-day workshop.

One of the Resource persons, Tangsrik A. Sangma, M.A in Music, said that during the workshop, they would take up crafting of traditional Garo instruments like Dama, Chigring and Dotdrong (stringed instruments carved out of wood) and would begin with theory classed and follow up with the practicals in the latter days. Music teacher in St. Anthony’s College, Lusac M. Momin and  Specialist in Folk Music, Gabriel G. Momin are the other resource persons for the workshop.

EAC in-charge District Arts & Cultural Society, Ampati, Florina Boro, Curator, Arts & Culture, Kimde R. Marak, District Librarian, L. K. Marak and other officials from the district were also present during the workshop.

By Our Reporter