Shillong reached the seventh heaven today, with 1730 guitarists strumming persistently for five minutes, soft and melodiously tunes on the doors of the Guinness books and finally forcing it to open into the world of record-holders. Once inside the hall of fame, it was a matter of time, until the high priest (nominated witnesses), of the Guinness Book of World records, Director General of Police, BK Dey Sawain ordained victorious Shillong into the halloed precinct.
" Shillong you broke a world record. And created a new record for the largest guitar ensemble with 1730 guitarists," Sawain bawled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports’ complex, transformed into a unique world of its own and waiting with bated breath for the official announcement.
Hardly had he finished his ordination, crowds broke out into rapturous cheers and embraced each other into bear hugs. Colorful festoons flew in the air and music blared.
Definitely, it was no mean achievement for a group of amateur school children, housewives and youths strumming Bob Dylan’s classic "knocking on Heaven’s door", together with professionals from all over the northeastern states to create the record.
The existing record set by 1721 guitarists from Kansas City, US who strummed Deep Purple’s "Smoke on the water" earlier this year was broken.
Fifty-three-year-old, S Kharshandi’s, fingers quivered under the vibration of her guitar strings. But she happily managed to squeeze out the melody from her guitar.
Fifty-three-year-old, S Kharshandi’s, fingers quivered under the vibration of her guitar strings. But she happily managed to squeeze out the melody from her guitar.
Likewise, ten-year-old Daminika Wahlang, of Loreto Convent School, struggled to grab the entire fret of her guitar. Her little fingers searched to reach the top sixth string while her other finger held on the bottom first string. But she too managed to twang out the Gs-Ds-Ams and Cs beautifully to create music and history.
A twenty-one member troupe from Assam, led by singer JP Das, was also part of the event. " I was born in Shillong, I love Bob Dylan and particularly this song, so I traveled down here", Das said.
Finally, a word of caution, the final seal of confirmation would be given by Guinness Book authorities in London, after video recording of the show is passed on to them. But irrespective of the confirmation, today’s performance made a strong statement about northeast’s capabilities knocking as a unit for a better future.
