Largest Drum Ensemble record

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Shillong (UNI): As a part of the Autumn Festival 2006, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum is all set to create a new world record in drum ensemble on October 28, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex here. At present, Mickey Hart holds the Guinness World Record title for the ''Largest Drum Ensemble,'' consisting of 4,374 participants, exceeding the former record by over 1000 for the largest drumming circle in history. In order to break Hart's record, Tourism Minister and MTDF member Robert Garnett Lyngdoh told UNI here today that the MTDF would bring together at least 5000 drummers and school children from all over the North Eastern states with the traditional drums.

Mr Lyngdoh said doors are also open for drummers from any part of the country or world to participate in the largest drum ensemble. ''We want that everybody knows that Shillong and the region is a happening place like any other big city,'' Mr Lyngdoh said. Pointing out that drum ensemble, is not only about random beating, the Tourism Minister, himself a renowned musician, said the drum beats will be cadenced one and MTDF effort is to facilitate the drummers to create a tune, which can last for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

''It's not only about breaking the record, but we want to showcase our rich culture to the world,'' he said. Apart from hosting the proposed ''largest drum ensemble'' ever, the MTDF, he said, has invited street performers from New Zealand to display their acrobatics skills in Shillong, Jowai and Cherrapunjee. The Autumn festival will conclude on November 5.