Music has been a central part of the cultural connection between Wales and the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills since the 1840s. The missionaries brought Welsh hymn tunes, folk songs and nursery rhymes to north east India and introduced tonic sol-ffa as a means of teaching music. They also learnt folk songs from the region, some of which have returned to Wales as hymns. Musician Gareth Bonello has been researching the historical exchange in music between Wales and the Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills and has also been developing a musical collaboration with Khasi artists. One of the main outputs of Gareth’s PhD and collaboration with Khasi musicians is the album ‘Sai-thain ki sur by the Khasi-Cymru Collective, released in 2021 on Naxos World. It was the Guardian’s folk album of the month in June 2021. |
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Gareth Bonello - Live performance of 'Pererin Wyf' with Duitara on Heno, S4C Television 30th October 2018
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Gareth Bonello - Live performance of 'Bryniau Casia' and interview on Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol for S4C Television, 25th November 2018
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Wanphrang Diengdoh & Gareth Bonello - Video for the Welsh traditional 'Cariad Cyntaf' performed by Gareth Bonello and created by Wanphrang Diengdoh, 19th February 2018
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The Khasi/Cymru Music Collective is a group of musicians who have been exploring the cultural exchange between Wales and the Khasi Hills and who have been creating new musical works together from an entirely contemporary point of view. Gareth Bonello, the leader of this research strand, has collaborated with Desmond Kharmawphlang, Esther Syiem and Lapdiang Syiem on lyrical composition, and with musicians Benedict Hynñiewta, Rani Marin, Risingbor Kurkalang, Mebanlamphang Lyngdoh, Desmond Sunn and Apkyrmenskhem Tangsong.
Dr. Mebanlamphang Lyngdoh is a musician and lecturer in music at Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong. Meban has written a PhD on the Duitara.
Apkyrmenskhem Tangsong is a musician based in Shillong. He speciailses in the Duitara and Bamboo flute and regularly collaborates with Khasi poet and performer Lapdiang Syiem
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Desmond Sunn is a popular Khasi songwriter and musician and a DJ for RED FM in Shillong.
Risingbor Kurkalang is a craftsman, musician and farmer from the East Khasi Hills region of Meghalaya. He plays the Saitar and the Duitara and is an expert craftsman of traditional Khasi instruments.
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Rani Marin is a craftsman, musician and farmer from the Ri Bhoi area of Meghalaya. He is a maker of traditional Khasi instruments, from large drums such as the Ka Bom to bamboo flutes and string instruments such as the Duitara and Maryngod.
Dr Gareth Bonello is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who works under the stage name The Gentle Good and is influenced by the traditional music and folklore of Wales as well as sources from all over the world.
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