Shillong, Jan 5: Founder, mentor and conductor of the Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC), Neil Nongkynrih, passed away at a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. He was aged 51.
While details leading to his demise were not immediately available, sources said he passed away due to a suspected ruptured ulcer. He was also undergoing treatment for probable peritonitis and sepsis.
Nongkynrih was in Mumbai since November 2021.
Neil Nongkynrih was awarded the Padma Shri (the fourth highest civilian award of India) in 2015 for his contribution in the field of arts through his music.
Nongkynrih was also awarded the U Tirot Sing Award in 2011, the Forbes Person of the Year for 2010-11 and he also served as a member of the World Choir Council. He was a member of the Central Board of Film Certification from 2017 till the time of his death.
He founded the well renowned Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC), an Indian chamber choir based in Shillong, in 2001 after his return from United Kingdom. SCC shot to fame after winning the reality talent show, India’s Got Talent (Season 2) in October 2010, on Colours TV.
The choir also participated in the 6th World Choir Games held at Shaoxing China (Shanghai) in July 2010 and was awarded Gold in all three categories: Musica Sacra, Gospel and Popular.
