Tura, June 29: The District Auditorium in Tura reverberated with electrifying music on Saturday as the inaugural “Battle of the Bands”, a landmark musical showdown exclusively for bands from the Garo Hills region, reached its thrilling conclusion.

Organized by the Wrathbefall Music Society, the event aimed to promote and provide a platform for the region’s local musical talent. Sponsored by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma through the Chief Minister’s Special Grant, the event successfully showcased the immense musical talent the region offers.

23 talented bands from across the Garo Hills participated in this competition, each vying for the prestigious grand prize and the coveted title. Performances were judged on originality, musical technicality, and stage presence, with each band delivering a dynamic set within their allotted time.

Judging the bands were prominent figures from the Garo Hills music scene: Silvan Sangma from the band Rough Road; Tengrang R Sangma, Director of the Tura Music Academy; Reynold M Sangma from Ultimate Page; and Rem Shira from Restless Desire.

Also gracing the event was Dabo M Marak, Working President of NPYF. Marak expressed his delight at witnessing the youth showcase their talents, and underscored the need for such platforms to uplift morale and identify raw musical abilities. He further highlighted the Meghalaya government’s commitment to engaging youth positively through initiatives like the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), which aims to prevent the youth from deviating into anti-social activities.

“The money spent on such activities like MGMP has helped the youths in the state of Meghalaya. Some students are now able to pay their college fees and rent by performing in these programs. So I believe such initiatives have brought transformation to the youths,” Marak said.

These programs are proving instrumental in fostering self-reliance and providing tangible financial support, enabling young artists to pursue both their passion for music and their education.

The “Battle of the Bands” provided a significant platform for local artists, fostering the rich musical talent that thrives in the Garo Hills region.

The competition saw substantial prizes awarded to the top performers. The winning band, Nyctophilia, received a grand prize of ₹50,000, while the 1st Runner-up, Emberfall, was awarded ₹30,000, and the 2nd Runner-up, V-Aura, secured ₹20,000.

Individual musical talent was also recognized with prizes of ₹5000 each. Best Vocalist – Sid Ampabni of Snowfall Effect; Best Lead Guitarist – Balkimra Chikambe Ch Sangma of V-Aura; Best Rhythm Guitarist – Carlo Ch Marak of Nyctophilia; Best Bassist – Jordan R Sangma of Emberfall; Best Drummer – Treslong N Sangma of Nyctophilia; and Best Keyboardist – Aiesho Demetius S Marak of Di-Eros.

Adding to the excitement, the event featured a special guest performance by the electrifying band ‘ARSENIIC’ from Assam, which captivated the audience with their live act. The “Battle of the Bands” marked a significant milestone for the Garo Hills’ vibrant music scene, promising to be a cornerstone for future musical endeavors in the region.

Also Read: Meghalaya’s Eri Silk shines in PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address

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