Shillong: The strumming of the traditional Khasi string instrument ‘Ka Duitara’ created the perfect patriotic prelude to ‘Jana Gana Mana’, as the National Anthem was rendered with a distinct tribal touch, a historic first of its kind in the country, on the first day of the autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Friday.
As the House stood in attention, the melodious and haunting indigenous strains caught the attention of and ringed into everybody’s heart as a recorded version of the National Anthem was played with interludes of subtle beats of traditional percussion instruments.
The unique rendition of the National Anthem with the infusion of an indigenous musical overtone through playing of local instruments in the background was an introduction and idea of Meghalaya Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh and was recorded at a city studio and jointly produced by renowned singer and composer Lamphang Syiemlieh and his local ensemble of artists in collaboration with the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat.
Speaking about the making of the iconic item, Syiemlieh said, “The request from the Speaker was to come up with a version which everyone can understand and feel like it’s their National Anthem”.
“So, we did it in such a way that anyone can join together and sing the National Anthem. The arrangement was a little bit difficult for me since it’s the National Anthem and we cannot just do whatever we want,” he pointed out, adding that the Speaker had assisted in the entire endeavour.
“I had help from Delhi, understanding the norms, laws and conditions that we have to abide by while working on the National Anthem. But then the most beautiful thing is that there is a section in the Constitution that says we can improvise on the instruments, vocal arrangements,” he said, adding that his team of instrumentalists got together and “hope we did it perfectly”.
“It’s not like any ordinary project but an honour. I am proud to say that it’s the first time ever to introduce the National Anthem with the pillars of our Khasi and Garo traditional instruments,” the young musician underscored.
