
The name of this band, from the periphery of Latlam Valley in Meghalaya, is Ka Sur Na Nongkindong, which literally means “Voice of the Village”. It was formed out of a desire to keep the traditional musical heritage of the state alive. “Music is like medicine, it can heal a broken heart.”
The best documentary photographers can bring sounds and smells to life in their frames. Anurag Banerjee, 32, is an eloquent cultural historian, and his latest book, songs of our peopleThere is a visual cornucopia of sounds.
A boy from Shillong, the Mumbai-based photographer grew up listening to the diverse musical traditions of Meghalaya – from indigenous stories to rock, reggae and rap. The book describes the musicians of their state, and how their music reflects identity, history, grief as well as hope and the power of community and belonging.

29-year-old Banrap Lyngdoh’s songs are about his own battle with mental health. His EP, bipolar confession, is a rap and R&B album with dark colors and moody melodies. “It is important to be yourself, to be alone, to struggle alone. You find yourself, who you are, who you are going to be.”
Created with a grant from Meghalayan Age Limited, an initiative of the state government to support and organize projects about the state’s culture and society, Banerjee’s choice to shoot, write and produce this book reflected her home state in a better way. Born out of a desire to know from. “In the years I have spent outside Shillong, the first comment people make when they find out where I am from is always around music,” he says. So, when he finds himself in that place, Wanting to immerse what he knew as home, he decided to do so through musicians from Shillong – who sing in several local dialects like Khasi, Garo and Panar along with English.

22-year-old Daifi Lamare, better known as Rebel, has been a successful addition to the list of North East musicians at popular festivals like the recent Bacardi NH7 Weekender. She is a rap artist who sings in English. “Your music should speak for itself. If I am performing on the global stage, I am completely representing my country.
Shillong beyond Bob Dylan fans
“The idea for the book coincides with people taking to the streets across the country in late 2019, in what is now known as the ‘citizenship protests’. Since genres like hip-hop and R&B have their roots in protests and people’s movements, I gravitated towards it in my hometown too,” says Banerjee. It took him eight months to finish the many photoshoots and he wrote the book over the next few years.
Banerjee covers a group of musicians with similar dedication to the creative language and identity of Meghalaya. Before selecting 19 for the book (compiled based on outreach and personal perspectives), he spent time with them at events, practices, and even in their homes.

Nangson Lingwa, 34, frontman of the iconic Shillong band Plague Throat, is now traveling alone, and living in Umroi, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In contrast to the band’s social commentary-first philosophy, their music is much more introspective, often focusing on their own sadness. “I’m very happy writing sad music. Whenever I feel sad, I pick up the guitar.”

Katta Nisa, a 25-year-old musician from the Garo tribe, speaks in his mother tongue. His desire is to bridge the gap between words, sounds, and the feelings associated with words. “I want to make the invisible tangible.”
Not knowing the local dialects well was a limitation, but hiring translators helped. And while he agrees that the representation of artists is not exhaustive, he sees this as “the first of many books” – with subsequent editions featuring more musicians and stories from culturally rich Meghalaya. .
The selected musicians highlight not only musical talent, but also an astonishing diversity of voices, stories, and styles – Maya Lyngdoh’s love for her roots, Banrap Lyngdoh’s exploration of grief, and Presley’s take on the redemptive powers of community. The belief of Lingadoh.

26-year-old storyteller-musician Maya Lyngdoh Mawlong sings about her hometown, her vegetable garden and her life in Mairang after returning from Bengaluru, where she studied and taught music for many years. “It is very sad to know where you are planted, because how can you grow if your roots are not there?”
This is Shillong beyond its Bob Dylan fans, with its legends like Lu Mazow and its only mainstream culture entrant, the Shillong Chamber Choir. This is musical Meghalaya at its most earthy and sublime.
The self-published book, which is priced at ₹799, has not been officially launched yet. It can be ordered through Banerjee’s Instagram (@banrjee.anurag).
Writer and critic based in Mumbai.