Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, or Jim Morrison you could name them all and still wonder how every lay man in the small hilly town of Shillong has heard them, let alone having heard of them.The Music scene in India has changed drastically in the past few years, but Shillong has bread and survived as India’s underground music hub. The love and lust for music is naturally in the blood of people from Shillong.
Ever since the 1970’s when the age of blues and rock and roll was booming and people in the other parts of India were probably not exposed to music of this kind, Shillong was where you could find records and cassettes of albums which were just released.
May 24th is known to be an iconic day amongst the people of Shillong and others who arrive in Shillong every year from other parts of the world. So why is the day so significant? Not hard to guess it is the day Bob Dylan was born, the people of Shillong worship him and his music can be heard in every quaint and bustling street of Shillong even till date.
For those of who do not know Bob Dylan, he was by probably the best musician of his time. His music touched millions of souls and still does.
In no other place in India does blues, rock and roll and country music rule so powerfully. The small town of Shillong is where no DJ’s survive or no records are scratched its where good music is enjoyed just the way it is. The symphony that music creates and the number of souls it touches is what makes Shillong the stand out from the other metropolitan cities in India.
There is a commonly told story that you get into a cab and u will be awe struck by what you hear, the sweet music of Jethro Tull and Deep Purple all the way till you reach your destination and if you are unsure of your destination I would suggest continue your journey, for all you know losing your soul to good music and the view of the distant mountains from the cab window may not turn out to be as bad as you think it could.
It is common to see young men and women flaunting their metal T-shirts and driving through the town on their bullets.
Shillong beyond music!!
The capital city of Meghalaya, Shillong is a small hill town located in the north eastern part of India. It is situated at an altitude of 1496 meters. Shillong was once the capital of Assam before the state was split in Assam and Meghalaya. The word Shillong translates into “The adobe of the clouds” rightly so the scenic beauty of Shillong, the mountains which set as a perfect backdrop and the amalgamation of clods forms an adobe which is a treat to your eyes and your soul.
Situated amidst hills covered with pine trees, and waterfalls making their way through the forests around Shillong is also popularly known as the Scotland of the East. Like most places in India, the British managed to leave their legacy behind in this quaint little town this is evident in the architectural patterns and the distinct and western food habits of the people of Shillong.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit would be around May 24th so you could catch up the world famous tribute to Bob Marley.
Shillong has heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and the rains last longer than rest of India. Although people generally avoid the rainy seasons this is the time when the city is the most clean and the waterfall are the strongest. If you plan to make your visit during the rainy season make sure you carry an umbrella while packing your bags.
Getting there
Shillong has an airport which is located in Umroi, which is abour 40 kms from Shillong. This small airport is connected with flights like Alliance Air which has flies from Calcutta on certain specific days of the week.
The Gopinath Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati, 104 kms from Shillong is connected to major cities in India with regular flights. You could get to Shillong from Guwahati Airport in a shared cab or hire a cab yourself since there are many cabs that regularly make trips to Shillong. It takes approximately about 5 hours to reach Shillong from Guwahati.
Those who prefer trains as a mode of transport you will be disappointed since there are no rail lines in Meghalaya and the nearest railway station is Guwahati (which is well connected by rail with other cities in India.
There are also private and government bus services which has frequent buses making trips from Guwahati to Shillong.
Don’t miss out on…
There are many places in Shillong which are worth seeing.
The Umiam Lake which resembles many lochs or lakes from Scotland is a must see for all tourists. This man-made lake also homes a water sports complex which also attracts tourists as well as locals regularly. The Lum Nehru Park beside the lake is also one of the most visited spots in Shillong.
The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous North Eastern Culture is also a must visit place to learn more about the distinct and varied culture of the people from the North East.
The Wards Lake another artificial lake is famously known for its beauty, this artificial lake has a wooden bridge and people hoard for enjoying a ride on their boats and swimming through the lotus plants on either sides of the lake.
Shillong is home to numerous waterfalls. The Sweet Fall is a steep fall and its is especially advised to maintain a safe distance since the rocks could be slippery and the water flows gushes down with a lot of force especially during the rains.
The Bishop and Beadon Falls are two most spectacular falls located in the Suna valley, which is home to wild animals like deer, leopard, wild cats, langur and numerous bird species.
Shillong Peak is the highest point in Meghalaya, giving a breath taking view of the city. The best view of the city can be caught during the night time when the city is well lit.
The Butterfly Museum has a variety of butterflies playing around in open fields making pleasant symphony of colours.
If you enjoy a game of golf then the Golf Course in Shillong is one of the best places in India to put your ball. This is India’s first Golf Course which has 18 holes. The Other Home offers you best accommodation location in Shillong - Apsara House and Ken and Twill Guest House.
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(Photo Courtesy: Anthony Khongsit, kashyap devdhar and IIM Shillong)
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