INDIA’S SHILLONG CHAMBER CHOIR TO SING IN KL

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The talented choir entertained United States
President Barack Obama during his recent visit to Delhi.

Come Dec 15, the Shillong Chamber Choir from India's hilly northeast region,
will enthral audiences at a private function in Malaysia.

The dedicated singers-cum-social workers, who take care of street children and
aged people with money earned from their programmes, will perform in the
function at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

"We sing to earn for the marginalised children. All our team members live
together in the same house in Shillong.

"We train together and help children from poor background and those who are
mentally-challenged," founder and maestro Neil Nongkynrih told Bernama in an
interview Sunday.

The versatile troupe, which started in 2001, is already collecting
accolades, having won the Indian reality television show, 'India's Got Talent'
(Season 2) this year, with its fusion of Bollywood, gospel and jazz.

This year, it also won the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China with gold
diplomas in all the three categories -- Musica Sacra, Gospel and Popular.

The 16-member team hails from Meghalaya state, located in the remote north-east
of India, where people are often known for musical talents.

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya.

Their repertoire includes western classical greats like Bach, Gershwin, Handel,
Gershwin, Mozart and their very own folk songs.

They sing in the Hindi and English languages.

"In Malaysia, our team would love to sing in the national language. Music is a
powerful tool, we want to use music to heal and uplift people," added
Nongkynrih.

The group looks after 25 children at their home in Shillong.
-- BERNAMA




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