Shillong, Aug 29: A group of song writers, music enthusiasts and citizens of Shilong met Paul Lyngdoh, the Minister of Arts and Culture, and submitted a memorandum urging the state government to preserve and promote the indigenous arts, music and playwrights and other art forms.
FR Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary Arts and Culture, was also present.
In the meeting, the group informed the Minister and the Department concerned that since the introduction of written language and printing press, many of the written documents which reflected the past heritage are still being kept and preserved by various stake holders including the public and private libraries. However, the group expressed apprehension on the preservation of local indigenous songs and plays which have been recorded in the radio stations in the state and outside in cities like Kolkata and Guwahati since the pre-independent period.
The group urged the government to constitute a commission with song writers, singers and play writers as members. Such commission will be an autonomous body.
The group emphasized that local indigenous artistes who had contributed to arts, music and culture must be given recognition. All original songs written and composed in Khasi,Jaintia, Garo, Hindi and others by the local artistes should be retrieved, collected and preserved for posterity, the group added.
