On the inaugural day of the Autumn Festival, several localities of the city, accompanied by cultural troupes, took part in the ‘Shillong Carnival’ on the theme ‘Environment and Culture for Tourism’. there were several colourful floats and tableaux with slogans on the need to save the environment and make the city clean and green.

The carnival was led by students of Seng Khasi School, who were dressed in their traditional attire looking vibrant and dancing rhythmically to the tune of the flute and the beating of the drums. Kiddies Corner School had a float depicting the theme ‘Ka Pahsyntiew’, a Khasi legend. The float was accompanied by children of the school dressed in environmental friendly leaves, gunny bags and hats made out of betel nut husk.

An Airtel float had three young ladies doing the salsa and the hawaiian dance. Then there was the Assam Rifles band playing rhythmic Khasi melodies.

An Art exhibition was also held during the Autumn Festival at the Lady Hydari Park in collaboration with Ri Tynrai, featuring works by local artists and painters from the rest of the country. The Art exhibition titled ‘Confluence’ showcased creations of different artists. These creations were on sale and the prices ranged from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 1,20,000.

 

During the Autumn Festival there were special programmes at Elephant Falls, Upper Shillong where a Khasi Food Court and traditional music were the main attraction. Ward’s Lake was the venue for boating competition and performance of pipe music. There was Shillong’s strong man competition where competitors were made to run with a 25 kg sack of potatoes, pull a jeep and trailor and lift and carry an 80 kg stone, also a kite flying competition, a greased pole climbing competition and a tug of war.

The festival culminated in a grand finale at the Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam on the 9th of November. The programmes on the final day included songs and dances of people of Meghalaya and other parts of the North East, a traditional fashion show of the North Eastern Region, fishing competition, boat racing competition and also teer, a traditional archery sport.

 

 

 

B Dkhar