The melody of my journey

I was born in Shillong and spent my earliest years in the beautiful village of Nongtalang, where my parents were posted. I lived there until I was three before moving to Panaliar in Jowai to live with my grandparents.

The gentle rhythm of the breeze on the hills of Nongtalang, the sound of cicadas at dusk and the folk songs of the villagers became the first music I ever experienced. At Panaliar, I enrolled at St. Mary Mazzarello Higher Secondary School.

My love for singing began when I was barely six. My grandfather would often take out his old guitar, sit me beside him, and strum songs like Edelweiss, Amazing Grace and Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. I would sing along shyly at first until one day he smiled and said, “Oh, this little girl can sing!” From that moment on, singing became a part of my daily routine after my homework.

Even in school, my voice found its way to the classroom. During our S.U.P.W. periods, my teacher would always ask me to sing, and I would happily do so because that meant I’d gain marks for it! Those small moments shaped my love for performing. Later, when I moved to Shillong for higher studies, my attention shifted to martial arts and cricket, and music took a backseat for a while. Honestly, I never imagined I would one day take it up as a career. Life, however, had a tune of its own waiting for me.

A chance encounter

In 2001, I decided to take part in a singing competition organised by the Young Christian Students (YCS). My dear friend Angelica Kahit Dympep was supposed to play the guitar for me. We practised at her house, and while I was singing, her brother Nangkhraw Kahit Dympep overheard me. He liked my voice and mentioned that his band was looking for a lead vocalist.

The next day, Angelica asked if I’d be interested, and I agreed without a second thought! We named the band The Gracious, and from that moment on, music became my heartbeat. We practised every day — no breaks, no excuses. That year, while waiting for my matric results, I had all the time in the world to dive deeper into music.

The turning point

Then came my turning point. I auditioned for the Miss Shillong Beauty Pageant 2002, organised by the Fashion Society, Shillong, and was selected to perform. Standing on that stage before a huge crowd was both terrifying and exhilarating, but once the music started, I felt completely at home. And guess the song I sang? Whenever, Wherever by Shakira. I gained popularity through her song. All thanks to Shakira for that breathtaking song! That moment marked the official beginning of my musical journey. I was just 15. From there, things moved quickly. Our band started performing in and outside Shillong. For the first time, I felt what it meant to truly live my dream.
But in 2003, The Gracious disbanded when some members left for higher studies.

Later that year, I joined the legendary Shillong band ‘Snow White’ as their lead vocalist. Performing with them was an incredible experience. It taught me so much about discipline, professionalism and stage presence. I was just a young girl among them, but they treated me with warmth and respect, just like their little sister. 

For a while, I truly felt like little Snow White surrounded by her big brothers. I’m forever grateful for the lessons and memories I shared with them. In 2005, I decided to go solo, and since then, I’ve been performing across the state and beyond, representing Meghalaya at cultural festivals and sharing the stage with many amazing artistes.

Over the years, I’ve sung in several Khasi and Jaintia albums. My first Khasi song, Uff Ka jingieid, a duo with (L) Tyngkai Kharlukhi, written by Edward Pakma and composed by Pradip Kurbah from the album Mynsiem (2002), and my first Jaintia song, To Myllin, written and composed by Arwotki Sumer from the album Rikune (2002), remained close to my heart even today.

Challenges along the way

The journey wasn’t easy. Back then, the music scene was far from what it is today. We didn’t have YouTube, smartphones or online tutorials. To learn lyrics, we’d keep rewinding cassette tapes until they nearly wore out, and when they got stuck, we’d fix them with pencils! Sometimes, just to get the lyrics of a song, we’d have to request the Mawphor newspaper to publish them, and even then, we might still end up singing the wrong lyrics on stage! But that was the beauty of those times — the effort, the laughter and the love for music that kept us going. Piracy was rampant, too, and that hurt local musicians deeply. But through every struggle, patience, perseverance and passion for music kept me moving forward.

Gratitude and inspirations

First, I want to thank God for bestowing upon me this beautiful talent, a gift that would mark my identity and guide my purpose. Without His grace, none of this would have been possible.

My greatest inspiration in life has always been my father — my pillar of strength and my biggest supporter. My family and friends have always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. And to my little sister Joicyl Ropmay, thank you for always being there, for dolling me up before shows, managing my daily chaos, and filling my days with laughter. You’ve been my backbone, my quiet strength behind the spotlight, and honestly, I don’t know how life would be without you.

Musically, my inspirations are a mix of power, emotion and edge. From Shakira, Pink, Beyonce, Rihanna, Adele and Dua Lipa, to bands like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Dream Theatre and Linkin Park, each one of them has influenced my sound and performance in some way. They’ve taught me to be bold, fearless and authentic both on and off the stage.

Looking ahead

My dream now is to complete my two albums — one in English and the other in Khasi-Jaintia. The English album will reflect a modern sound, blending different musical styles and genres that I’ve grown to love over the years. It will be contemporary yet deeply personal — an honest expression of who I am as an artiste today.

The Khasi-Jaintia album, on the other hand, will carry the rhythm and heartbeat of Meghalaya — the beauty of our hills, our people and our heritage. Through it, I hope to preserve our traditional sounds while giving them a new identity that resonates with audience both local and global. Ultimately, I want my music to tell stories — stories of where I come from and what I’ve learned along the way. And beyond that, I dream of mentoring and collaborating with young artistes, helping them navigate this ever-evolving musical landscape and inspiring them to chase their dreams.

The music scene in Meghalaya

Today, Meghalaya stands proudly as one of the most musically rich states in India. Shillong, fondly called the ‘Rock Capital of India’, is home to countless talented musicians and bands. The sounds of rock, blues, jazz, gospel, pop and fusion echo through its streets.

The new generation is innovative and bold, experimenting with both language and sound, blending traditional rhythms with modern beats, and inventing new sounds and genres. Festivals, musical concerts and events have given our local talents maximum exposure, opening doors for them to showcase their artistry to the world.

Government initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Programme (CMGMP) have also played a vital role in nurturing local talent. They’ve provided platforms for emerging artistes to perform, collaborate and be heard, giving birth to many inspiring young musicians who now carry the torch of Meghalaya’s music forward.
Yet, despite these positive strides, much remains to be done. There is still a need for more professional recording studios, music academies, funding opportunities and digital promotion channels. Our musicians deserve platforms that support them not just creatively but also professionally through fair pay, training and exposure at both national and international levels.

If nurtured with the right vision and support, Meghalaya’s music can become a global cultural brand — a blend of heritage and innovation that the world will celebrate.

A note to my fans and the youth

“Wherever I go, I will never forget my roots— I will always strive to uplift our culture and heritage through my music.” To my beloved Khasi and Jaintia fans — thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support since the beginning of my musical journey in 2002. Your love, your energy and the enthusiasm you show every time you come to watch me perform mean more than words can express. Wherever I am today is all because of your love and support. And to the youth— you are the future, the heartbeat of tomorrow’s melody. Be bold, be humble and never stop believing in your dreams.

No journey is easy, but every challenge shapes you into who you’re meant to be. Let your roots ground you, and your dreams lift you higher. Keep learning, keep creating and never let fear silence your passion. Let failure guide you, not stop you! And, remember, if a girl from a small village once found her voice and made it heard, so can you. Music changed my life! It can change yours, too.

(Gracyl Ropmay is an award-winning singer, songwriter and performer from Meghalaya)

All photos contributed by the author