The Me’gong Festival 2025, a grand celebration of the culture and heritage of the indigenous Garo community, drew massive crowds as it concluded on Saturday night at the Bolbokgre–Watregre grounds near Tura. Inspired by a native Garo Hills flower, the two-day festival welcomed over 55,000 visitors, making it one of the region’s largest cultural events of the year.
The festival blended tradition with contemporary experiences, offering a vibrant mix of band performances, traditional games, fashion showcases, and a wide array of cultural attractions. The celebration resonated with community pride as families, tourists, and culture enthusiasts explored the lively atmosphere.
A major highlight was the star-studded global lineup, with performances by pop-rock star Richard Noel Marx, British pop-R&B group Blue, Grammy-nominated reggae artist Julian Marley, Dutch electronic duo Yellow Claw, and Bollywood singers Kanika Kapoor and Neeti Mohan, who shared the Aski stage with local talents.
Members of Blue expressed enthusiasm for the crowd and the region. “Garo Hills’ Me’gong Festival is amazing! The crowd was on fire,” said Antony Daniel Costa. Vocalists Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James, and Costa thanked festival-goers, calling Garo Hills “a paradise.”
Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, performing in Meghalaya for the second time, delighted audiences with hits such as Chittiyaan Kalaiyan, Baby Doll, Jawaani Le Doobi, and Desi Girl, praising the crowd as one of the best she has ever performed for.
Beyond music, the festival featured immersive cultural activities. The Great Garo Hills Cook-Off showcased reinterpretations of traditional cuisine, judged with the presence of MasterChef India Season 8 runner-up Nambie Jessica Marak. Visitors also enjoyed traditional sports, a lively Brew Village, a colourful Cosplay Contest, the Miss & Mr Me’gong Contest, VR experiences, a bustling craft and food market, and stalls from entrepreneurs under PRIME Meghalaya.
The festival also highlighted Meghalaya’s rise as a cultural hub in the Northeast, joining major events like the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival and Winter Tales in drawing global attention. The Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) continued its momentum, with seven emerging bands performing on opening day. Young artists described the opportunity to share the stage with international acts as “transformational.”
As the lights faded over the Bolbokgre–Watregre grounds, Me’gong Festival 2025 concluded with renewed pride in the cultural, artistic, and creative spirit of the Garo Hills—leaving behind unforgettable performances and lasting memories for thousands.
(Correspondent)
