Shillong, June 21: On the harmonious occasion of World Music Day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma unveiled a significant evolution in the state’s musical landscape, launching Season 3 of the erstwhile Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, now proudly christened the ‘Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Production (CMGMP)’. This rebranding signals a momentous new chapter, promising to revolutionise the music and cultural journey of the ‘Abode of Clouds’.
What began as a modest ₹3.5 crore initiative, thoughtfully designed to uplift 2,500 artists, has blossomed into a colossal ₹69 crore programme. CM Sangma, addressing a captivated audience, revealed the programme’s profound impact: it has empowered over 5,400 artists and facilitated more than 38,000 vibrant live performances across the length and breadth of Meghalaya. With its elevation to a permanent, structured platform, the CMGMP is set to offer fixed performance venues, comprehensive training in music theory, and significantly expanded support for music production, laying a robust foundation for the state’s burgeoning talent.
Chief Minister Sangma spoke from the heart, describing the initiative as “deeply personal.” He candidly recounted his own formative struggles as a young musician, expressing a heartfelt desire to prevent similar hurdles for the next generation. “I want every young artist in our state to feel seen, heard, and empowered to chase their dreams, with access to the right tools, training, and a stage,” he affirmed, encapsulating the very essence of the CMGMP. More than just a change in nomenclature, the CMGMP is envisioned as a cultural movement, meticulously designed to nurture talent from the very grassroots, celebrate Meghalaya’s rich and diverse musical heritage, and forge a sustainable ecosystem for its gifted local artists. The Chief Minister concluded with an encouraging message to aspiring musicians across the state, urging them to continue their creative pursuits and performances, reassuring them with the powerful declaration that “Meghalaya is with you.”
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