State loses two veteran singers
Rana Kharkongor succumbs to Covid; RW Pde was battling cancer for over a year
Shillong, May 21: A chapter in the mainstream Khasi musical history ended this week with the demise of two veteran singers, Rana Kharkongor and Roytre Waroh Pde.
Songwriter and singer Kharkongor, who lived in Umpling, succumbed to Covid-19 at 9 am on Friday. He was 69. The singer, who led a solitary life in a humble two-storeyed building in Umpling, quit singing about six years ago owing to ailing health.
Kharkongor pioneered large-scale Khasi music album production Jingkieng Ksiar. Among his most famous songs are Tiew Kulab, Nga long tang U Nongbylla and Imat ka don ka daw.
There are about 30 albums to Kharkongor’s credit. He was a recipient of the Meghalaya State Award, the Tirot Sing Syiem Award for Arts and Literature.
“Kharkongor was a legendary musical exponent. Riti Academy pays tribute to the great soul,” said artist Raphael Warjri.
Another veteran singer, Pde, passed away on Thursday after prolonged illness. He was battling cancer for the past one-and-a-half years.
“Had it not been for the lockdown, hundreds of his fans from Khasi and Jaintia Hills would have thronged our house for the funeral,” said a relative on Friday.
Pde’s musical journey started in 1998. He had composed several Khasi songs and produced around 18 albums. He never had a formal training in singing. Among his famous songs are Jadu aiu sha and Jingim nongkyndong.
