In a first, Shillong today hosted Asia’s largest Spoken Festival by Kommune,here at the iconic Wards Lake.The Spoken Fest lit up the city with raw energy, unfiltered stories, and voices that demanded to be heard at this one multi-stage festival of expression. The festival supportedby the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, was graced byShri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Tourism Minister along with Shri Cyril VD Diengdoh, IAS, Director of Tourism.
Shri Paul Lyngdoh said, “Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Tourism Minister in his address said, “It is indeed a moment of joy and ecstasy for us in the department to see that experential tourism and the arts and culture are getting a fresh lease of life in Meghalaya”. He expressed his gratitude to the local population for their support and the collaboration of groups and enthusiasts like Kommune and the artists who are participating.
Shri Lyngdoh stated that when spoken is mentioned as a brand, the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya have a long history of oral tradition; the stories, myths and legends are an old part of the history of the state even before introduction to the written word. A platform such as this allows young poets, writers, storytellers to elaborate and exchange with other artists of the community, and for Meghalaya’s budding artists to be provided with such a platform is a true tangible achievement. He expressed positivity that the youth of Meghalaya when given the opportunity to interact in such platforms will be another instance of commune and connect ensuring that the state’s strengths, including arts, culture, literature and music are provided with the best platform in the world.”
Shri Cyril Diengdoh remarked that Shillong is the first city to have edition of Spoken Fest outside of Mumbai. He added that the platform gives the opportunity to local authors and other local talents to rub shoulders with the best in the country. He observed that Spoken Fest gives a chance to the best artistes in the world and in a way promoting Meghalaya tourism which will reach a wider audience.
The day kicked offat the reverie stage, with performances by singer-songwriter Clayton Hogermeer, and Shillong’s very own singer cum poets, Vancouver Shullai and Marbamonlang Rani took centre stage with their poems exploring themes of identity, home and family. Actress and social influencer, Kareema Barry, mesmerised the crowd with her mastery in storytelling on food, family, childhood, and her native city. Later, the fest highlighted a showcase by Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), a state government-aided platform, featuring pop-soul artist Elena Sohktung. Poets Anees Ailynti Noronha, and Priya Malik & Tanmay Maheshwari delivered their performances with a poise Storyteller’s Laksh Maheshwari and Madhu Raghvendra, ended the first session of the day.
