Re-reading Cities and Communities

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong It is a strange feeling when I enter a bazaar. Any bazaar! At times even my local vegetable supplies bazaar! The numerous voices that flow in the air - some off course known while most unknown fascinate me. I wanted to discover Shillong through its bazaar. Through all the numerous tastes and smells - the raw Shillong! My first day in Shillong I entered this bazaar space with no plan in mind. All that I did was look around and see the mul

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong The day seemed to be a frivolous one. In fact, it was as if the wind itself had been schmoozing around with the people. James Syiemiong, had always been quite precocious and ambiguous all throughout his life. Labor, to him, was a thing of utmost joy. “ This is such a vocal world, where myth and rationality co-exist. Do you agree?” asked James. Kanika, being a small town girl herself, found this place and this man very enthralling. “yes, i

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong “The Khasi hills from time immemorial have been a land of dance and songs with a variety of instruments and types of music. Though many have religious significance, but largely it is about getting together and celebrating with one’s kith and kin,” says B.S. Nongkynri. One of the most celebrated being festivals is the Shad Suk Mynsiem. Though organised annually in almost all the villages of the Khasi Hills, a very elaborate celebration is

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong Wrapped in a thick self-knitted quilt and an intoxicating smell of kwai (betel nut) and duma (tobacco), Duh sat in the middle of the living room ready to begin her plethora of tales of the days gone by. She was surrounded by her grandchildren who were eagerly waiting for their Di’s (a nickname for Duh) routine of igniting their imagination by unfolding the mysteries of what used to be. They spread out on the carpet, basking in the joy of

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong C.O. Koshy has travelled a long distance from Kerala to Meghalaya. But his longest journey transpired between the Northeastern states of Manipur, Nagaland culminating in Shillong. His extensive voyage is a travelogue and potpourri of geography, stereotypes, misconceptions, mistaken identities, luck and finally God’s will that guided him to where he is today. C.O. Koshy has officially retired from work but continues his endeavours at Lakre

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong It is said that most Khasi practices have their origins in their folktales and legends. Numerous social customs which are still highly regarded and practiced in Khasi society have their roots in the tales and legends passed down from one generation to another and their place in modern Khasi society are still tremendous. A visit to a Khasi’s house and one would rarely find the sight of a broom lying around in the room. It is a common pheno

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong It was a usual day for Tanisha, bright and sunny, with lots of greenery, surrounding the borders of Meghalaya, mesmerized her on her way to Shillong. She got admission in one of the reputed colleges in Shillong and therefore along with her luggage, she was going to shift in the hostel for her further studies. It was a new state, new surrounding and new people for Tanisha, who understood that she is obviously going to learn and explore the

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong Happy Valley in present day Shillong greets its visitors on a narrow road flanked by shops or shanties on either side. The road culminates toward imposing mountains. One can only imagine the panoramic landscape that must have existed before the concrete shanties surfaced and dotted the mountains with their awry outlines. The buildings diminish as one walks towards the mountains. The homes seem older and fewer. Most entrance gates display

Blog Stories - People Called Shillong Two inseparable celestial sisters decided to descend to earth from the heavens. Somewhere in the journey one of the sisters lost her way while the other reached the earth, she was filled with anguish. She cried inconsolably for her missing sister and her tears ran like a river – the Umiam River. Umiam translates to ‘water of her eyes’. The Umiam River was dammed to create a reservoir near Shillong, known as the Umiam Lake but colloquially