32nd Hundred Drums Wangala Festival ended on a colourful note

32nd Hundred Drums Wangala Festival of The Garos ended on a colourful note. The Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma has called upon each and every citizen to join hands in preserving their rich traditional culture and customs of the region while addressing the  Festival at Asananggre, the headquarters of Rongram C&RD Block, West Garo Hills, 18 kms from Tura town on November 13, 2010.

Dr Sangma said that through the Wangala Festival, the cultural heritage of the Garos can be preserved. He urges upon the people to participate and contribute towards promoting the festival to higher levels making it a more spectacular event, particularly, as a tourist attraction. To achieve this goal, the youth has to be motivated and should be involved in the process, he added.

He also said that Wangala Festival has always been a major tourist attraction in the State of Meghalaya and by preserving it, the economy of the area in particular and the State in general will definitely grow. Besides it will keep alive the cultural identity of the Garos.

Mukul also informed during his speech that the Chief Minister’s Youth Development Programme has been enhanced for preserving and promoting the culture and traditions, like music and dances of the indigenous people of Meghalaya.

Later, the Chief Minister also released the magazine of the A’chik Literature Society called "A’chik Ku’rang."

It may be mentioned that altogether 10 Wangala dance troupes drawn from different parts of Garo hills took part in the festival and competed against each other to be the winner of the best Wangala dance troupe 2010. Apart from the competition by the dancing contingents of Garo Hills, this year the Wangala dance troupes from Bangladesh, Assam and Nagaland also displayed their skills at the festival.

Among others who attended the festival were Chairman MTDC, Mr R V Lyngdoh, Ismail Marak, Francis P Sangma and Samuel Sangma.

The other highlights of the day were the performance by the Wangala drummers of Garo Hills who participated during the opening ceremony of the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2010 held in New Delhi., For the first time troupes from Assam and Nagaland also participated besides Bangladesh.

This year's  winners are Sadolpara Troupe (First Place), Tura (Second Place)  Ampati (third Place)