Shillong, June 9: Amid the raucous rhythms of rock ’n roll that pervade the air in these parts, Pevious Momin’s new album is an oddity.

Momin, 27, is a musician who believes the entertainment value of his music is incidental. His main objective is to “remind people about the need to introspect and keep the moral fabric of society intact”.

A diploma holder in pharmacology and employed at a government public health centre at Rongjeng in the Garo hills, Momin’s thought-provoking songs have struck a chord among music aficionados. His album, Chubatao (Above All), has turned out to be a huge success in the Garo hills, making producers realise that there is a market for meaningful ethnic music.

Chubatao, jointly produced by Sur Bathiang and Varsha Electronics, is not the first album of its kind. But never before has an album shorn of the usual commercial trappings been received so well in Meghalaya.

“My album contains songs that try to convey the message that morality should not be forgotten, especially in the world of today, which has so many problems,” Momin says.

A resident of Resubelpara in the East Garo Hills, Momin has been associated with gospel groups like the Disciples Sing Praise. He has sung rock ’n roll numbers, too, but seems to be more at home with the sedate stuff.

Like most musicians of the state, singing is not his profession. “It is only a hobby. I work in a public health centre for a living,” he says.

A fan of the band Petra, the musician from Resubelpara wants to continue singing about humanity, irrespective of whether he tastes commercial success or not. “I will continue to sing songs that make a difference to our society.”