Telegraph October 29, 2006
Shillong kids drum up world record
- Overwhelming turnout at percussion event ensures Guinness entry
SWATHI DIWAKAR
Shillong, Oct. 28: It may not be time for the winter solstice yet, but the
mood was akin to Saturnalia on a Saturday. Meghalaya, which boasts of the
highest rainfall in the world, made a new entry in the Guinness Book of
World Records today when as many as 7,951 percussionists beat drums to
mark the beginning of the five-day annual Autumn Festival here.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex was a chock-a-block with spectators
from across the country cheering the participants. They burst into
thunderous applause as Michael Sean Whitty of the Guinness Book of World
Records, who was flown from the UK to adjudicate the event, congratulated
the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) the organisers of the
festival on the unique feat.
The earlier record was held by Po Leung Kuk Charity of Hong Kong which had
organised a performance by 7,727 drummers in February 2005.
MTDF, comprising tour operators, hoteliers, event managers, architects and
politicians is the official record holder.
Meghalaya already holds two Guinness records Cherrapunjee for the highest
rainfall in a month and Mawsynram for the highest rainfall in a year.
Participants beat drums for five minutes in an orchestrated manner with
their Rudy Wallang-composed piece Positive Vibrations. Garos, Khasis and
Jaintias, dressed in traditional attire, added colour to the event.
Personnel from defence establishments like Assam Regimental Centre, Indian
Air Force and Meghalaya Police also joined the ensemble.
Schoolchildren were accompanied by college students, housewives and even
elders.
Its the experience of a lifetime. I never dreamt of being an integral part
of a record-breaking event, said a proud Sangyusang Pongeneani, a national
awardee of Sangeet Natak Akademi and leader of a group of participants
from Nagaland.
My son was part of the ensemble. I, too, wanted to join them, said H.
Lyngdoh, who, along with her 10-year-old son participated in the event.
The other attraction was an electrifying performance by Air Devils of the
Indian Air Force. Breathtaking parachute stunts held the spectators
spellbound. Meghalaya minister for tourism and chairman of MTDC R.G.
Lyngdoh said the new world record was a milestone in the history of the
state. It would put the state on world tourism map, he said. Former chief
minister D.D. Lapang inaugurated the event
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