Memories of Shillong & loved ones at exhibition in city

Shillong, Jan 20: Some were memories of the old and prominent families of Shillong while others were reminiscences of the hills before and after independence, framed and displayed for the new generation to travel back in history.

‘Ki Jingkynmaw, Gisik Ra.ani, Kynmo Tympang’ is a collation of memories shared by families and renowned photographers. Organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations and curated by the Northeast India AV Archive of the Department of Mass Media at St Anthony’s College, the photography exhibition on the premises of the State Central Library in the city had a collection of about 100 photographs, including some by renowned photographers Ahmed Hussain and Aly Shadap.

There were photographs contributed by Pearlymon Ryntathiang and her grandson Herman Manik Lyngdoh. Ryntathiang was among the first Khasi women who worked with the Forest Department, both under Assam and Meghalaya governments. The collection consisted of photographs of the Lyngdoh Lyngiong Ryntathiang family taken over a few decades, including from the time when Ryntathiang was a school student.

Another contribution was by the Sumer family. The photographs depicted the stories of three generations and a school trip to Kolkata.

From the family treasure trove of history professor Sashi Teibor Laloo were photographs of a football club in Jaintia Hills in 1928 and an unidentified theatre group taken a few months after the independence in 1947.

Photographs of an outing on airplane was contributed by former deputy commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri. The pictures, taken at Wahblei in East Khasi Hills, show an airplane that belonged to her aunt Maysalin War’s husband Alan McCloud.

The Agarwalla family’s photographs date back to the 1920s. There were Holi and wedding photographs.

There was a projector at the venue where visitors can have the feel of the fifties and decipher a thousand words that a picture speaks.

The exhibition will conclude on January 21.