|
| Boats on Umiam lake |
Shillong, Oct. 15: The shores of Umiam lake near here will come alive with the sound of music and revelry next month.
For two whole days, the Shillong Autumn Festival, one of the biggest in the Northeast, will keep visitors entertained and offer a platform to showcase the diversity of the region.
Starting with a half-marathon, this year’s Shillong Autumn Festival, with a theme revolving around the environment, will feature a concoction of dance, music, food, cultural display, and traditional games with special shows of Meghalaya’s very own musical talents.
Since 2005, the event has been organised by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), a conglomerate of people from various professional backgrounds.
Tourism for environment and culture will be the theme of the annual event at the Orchid Lake Resort in Umiam (Barapani) on November 3 and 4.
“The festival will create an ambience that reflects the natural beauty and culture of the Northeast and give visitors a taste of its unique heritage in two days of packed entertainment,” forum president Larsing Ming Sawyan said.
The event will be preceded by a half-marathon on October 27 where a cycle race, a green run and a walkathon will be the other elements.
The half-marathon has been organised to inculcate awareness on the need to preserve the environment in the state.
The Northeast Cultural Extravaganza will showcase Khasi and Garo dances, Manipuri ballet, pung cholam and thang ta, the sensual hojaigiri dance from Tripura and dances from Sikkim.
Traditional games from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland will also be a special highlight.
Well-known bands and musicians from the region and the country like the Shillong Chamber Choir, Soulmate, Pynter Orchestra, Alobo Naga, Na Rympei, Menwhopause (Delhi), and Lou Majaw will enthral the audience.
The festival will showcase a variety of brews and dishes of the region.
A food court and a wine court of the choicest ethnic cuisine will be put up as well.
Children will have a magic carnival and a kids’ zone for their entertainment.
| 
