SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Minister for Arts and Culture, Sanbor Shullai, has announced a two-pronged initiative to preserve and promote the state’s rich cultural heritage—by restoring the memorial of freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem in Dhaka and by strengthening indigenous cultural expressions across Meghalaya and the North East.
Full-Size Statue for U Tirot Sing in Dhaka
Reacting to the recent dismantling of U Tirot Sing’s bust in Bangladesh during civil unrest, Shullai expressed deep concern and pledged to restore the memorial with greater prominence.
“It should not only be a bust—it should be a full-size statue of U Tirot Sing in Dhaka,” the Minister said on October 23, describing the act of vandalism as deeply saddening.
U Tirot Sing Syiem, revered as one of the foremost freedom fighters of Meghalaya, was captured during the Anglo-Khasi War and later died in the Dhaka Central Jail in 1835.
Reconstruction and Diplomatic Coordination
The Minister said discussions have already been held with concerned officials, including F. Kharkongor, to initiate the restoration process. He also announced plans to personally visit the site once conditions in Bangladesh stabilize.
Shullai emphasized that the project will be undertaken in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh to ensure the monument’s safe and dignified reconstruction. The new statue, he said, would stand as a lasting tribute to the “Hero of the Khasi Hills.”
Promotion of Indigenous Culture and Regional Exchange
Turning to cultural development within Meghalaya, Shullai outlined his department’s commitment to reviving and protecting traditional art forms. Speaking at the Meghalaya Tribal Indigenous Choir Festival on October 24, he reaffirmed the government’s support for indigenous cultural initiatives.
Organized by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture, the festival featured performances from 12 to 13 schools and cultural groups.
“The objective is to strengthen the folk music and culture of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills and to protect the pristine traditions and songs that define Meghalaya’s identity,” Shullai said.
He further added that the department plans to expand participation in the festival next year by inviting more schools and colleges.
Dispelling Misconceptions on Faith and Culture
Addressing the perception that Christianity has diminished indigenous culture, Shullai firmly rejected such claims, citing examples from across the region.
“This is a profoundly mistaken belief,” he said. “In Nagaland, for instance, 98% of the population is Christian, yet they wholeheartedly celebrate festivals like the Hornbill Festival. Here in Meghalaya too, thousands of Christians participate in the Shad Nongkrem and Behdeiñkhlam festivals—this reflects unity, not division.”
North East Cultural Exchange Programme Announced
The Minister also announced a major cultural exchange programme scheduled for November 15, aimed at fostering inter-state cultural collaboration within the North East.
The event will bring together 115 traditional groups from across the region for a large-scale celebration in Shillong. In addition, the department plans to organize outreach tours across Meghalaya to engage with local communities, headmen, and MDCs to ensure grassroots participation in cultural upliftment initiatives.
“We must take our cultural revival to every village and every household,” Shullai emphasized. “Our identity and unity lie in our heritage.”
