Shillong, June 21 : On the occasion of World Music Day, the highly anticipated Season 3 of the Chief Minister Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP) was officially launched at the Lariti Auditorium in Shillong. The event, attended by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as Chief Guest and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh as Guest of Honour, marks a significant push to foster Meghalaya’s creative economy and propel its unique musical identity onto the national and global stages.
Chief Minister Sangma emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing the state’s creative talent. “I would really like to see how our music—especially our own cultural and traditional music—can become part of the mainstream, where the identity of our culture and our music can be represented on the larger global musical stage,” he stated, encouraging local musicians to explore this unique area. He expressed hope that the CM-MGMP, which has evolved from a project into a full-fledged program, will continue as an annual affair, focusing on transforming artists and nurturing their talent into a viable music industry for the state, country, and the world. The Chief Minister also recounted various past initiatives providing platforms and recognition for musicians.
Launched in 2022, MGMP is a flagship program designed to empower musicians by offering sustainable platforms for performance, evolution, and growth. The project is inspired by Chief Minister Sangma’s passion for music, a known enthusiast who has frequently joined village musicians in impromptu jams, including in Jatah and Syntung, where he also announced financial assistance for instruments. Most recently, on June 20, 2025, he distributed musical instruments to youth in Rengmagre village. The launch of Season 3 stands as a testament to the continuous government support for artists across Meghalaya. Furthermore, to preserve folk music traditions, the State Government is developing Wahkhen, in East Khasi Hills, into a Residential Music Village, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh expressed his delight at the launch of the project’s third edition, which has now become a “household name”. He noted the presence of MGMP artists performing even in remote cafes, and affirmed that “Music is in our DNA,” evolving into a means of livelihood and a way of life. He announced the project’s renaming to the Chief Minister’s MGMP Program and appealed to all talented young musicians to register.
Since its inception, MGMP has significantly impacted over 7,750 artists, facilitating 13,104 performances, including eight outside the state. The project has created 175 jobs across five empanelled agencies, with artists earning an average of ₹10,000 per show. The total project cost, covering artist fees and management, has reached ₹38.7 crore. Season 2 alone, which began in October 2024, saw over 1,500 artists and more than 2,050 performances across East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Ri Bhoi districts, encompassing various event formats from live music nights to large-scale concerts with international acts.
Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, highlighted the immense potential of Meghalaya’s creative industry—music, arts, and cinema. He noted the concert economy’s long-standing presence as a national phenomenon and reported that government spending of approximately ₹23 crores on concerts generates an economic value of nearly ₹133 crores. These events have also created a substantial number of jobs and boosted tourism, with nearly four lakh people participating in festivals, including 76,000 tourists from outside the state.
Meghalaya’s musical spirit has gained national recognition, with bands like Thunder’s Cave, discovered through MGMP, embarking on tours across India with Hard Rock Cafe. MGMP artists have showcased their talent at prominent events such as the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, Pineapple Festival, Strawberry Festival, and Shillong Literary Festival. A notable achievement includes local band “LB3 Collective” opening for the Bryan Adams Concert in Shillong in December 2024, marking the first MGMP band to open for a world-renowned artist.
The Season 3 launch event featured captivating live performances from Season 2’s top bands, the unveiling of a new MGMP Logo, a recap video, an awards ceremony, and the Tourism Festival Booklet. The evening concluded with a soulful performance by popular singer-songwriter Anuv Jain, who praised Shillong as one of the best places he has performed in the country. Other attendees included Dr. Vijay Kumar D., Shri Cyril V.D. Diengdoh, and various MGMP members and artists.
