Meeting former colleagues, especially the like-minded, is always a pleasure. In the second week of my vacation here at the hill-station of Shillong in North-East India, I was delighted when Mr. Kit Shangpliang, a colleague from a decade and a half ago, called on me at my home.
What made the visit especially memorable, was what he brought along with him, as requested – a copy of the debut album of his music group SUMMERSALT, that I had heard about.
When I played the CD after the visit, I was completely astounded. Though by no means staid, I had no idea while we worked together that Bah Kit (‘Bah’ is a male honorific used in the Khasi Hills much like the ‘san’ suffix of Japan) was this talented a musician.
The album is a blend of five songs in Khasi and seven in English, which is not anything new in this part of the world. What sets it apart, though, is the unique fusion of traditional Khasi music with the western sound.
Bah Kit had also told me that SUMMERSALT does not do cover versions of popular songs (the easy way out) but that their songs are all original creations. The youth of this area for whom music is the lifeblood will find the meaningful and catchy lyrics inspiring. At a time when major social changes are happening, it is heartening that Bah Kit and his team is using their musical talents to guide social change while holding on to traditional values.
For the benefit of a diverse listening audience, the liner notes contain the lyrics of each song in both Khasi and English. Also included ia a second disc with four music videos, two each in the two languages.
I would encourage you to buy a copy of the album if you love music. You will be completely enthralled by the lively, foot-tapping music.
If you are up to it (I am not) you might even do somersaults!
Read more about the group at www.summersalt.in
© Abie Alexander 2017