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After his return to India, Neil started a home school at his residence in Shillong for the kids, who visited his home almost every day, to help them excel in regular as well as musical education. In 2008, renowned director [[Urmi Juvekar]] made a documentary on Neil’s life, titled ‘[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivMJUNZAS4Y The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School]’ which garnered attention at various film festivals across the globe.<ref>{{Citation|last=www.oberon.nl|first=Oberon Amsterdam|title=The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School {{!}} IDFA|url=https://www.idfa.nl/en/film/0df67b99-f87f-4856-ad8e-8f123287a153/the-shillong-chamber-choir-and-the-little-home-school|access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>
After his return to India, Neil started a home school at his residence in Shillong for the kids, who visited his home almost every day, to help them excel in regular as well as musical education. In 2008, renowned director [[Urmi Juvekar]] made a documentary on Neil’s life, titled ‘[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivMJUNZAS4Y The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School]’ which garnered attention at various film festivals across the globe.<ref>{{Citation|last=www.oberon.nl|first=Oberon Amsterdam|title=The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School {{!}} IDFA|url=https://www.idfa.nl/en/film/0df67b99-f87f-4856-ad8e-8f123287a153/the-shillong-chamber-choir-and-the-little-home-school|access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>


After years of organic development, the school has now evolved into a proper establishment named the ‘Shillong Chamber School’ with around 20 students in attendance as of 2016. The school's curriculum ranges from regular studies to various arts like music and drama, sports and other activities. The students of the school have performed with the SCC and the European Concert Orchestra in Mumbai for a Christmas Concert and also before [[Rajiv Bajaj]] and cricketer [[MS Dhoni]] at a private event in Pune along with Neil and the choir.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Balasubramanian|first=Malavika|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/A-very-choral-Christmas/article16920697.ece|title=A very choral Christmas|date=22 December 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 February 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
The school evolved into a proper establishment named the ‘Shillong Chamber School’ with around 20 students in attendance as of 2016. The school's curriculum ranges from regular studies to various arts like music and drama, sports and other activities. The students of the school have performed with the SCC and the European Concert Orchestra in Mumbai for a Christmas Concert and also before [[Rajiv Bajaj]] and cricketer [[MS Dhoni]] at a private event in Pune along with Neil and the choir.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Balasubramanian|first=Malavika|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/A-very-choral-Christmas/article16920697.ece|title=A very choral Christmas|date=22 December 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 February 2020|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


==Honors and awards==
==Honors and awards==

Revision as of 08:09, 8 January 2022

Neil Nongkynrih
Background information
Born(1970-07-09)9 July 1970
Jaiaw Langsning, Assam, India
Died5 January 2022(2022-01-05) (aged 51)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
GenresClassical, Pop, Jazz, Hindustani, Folk, Opera
Occupation(s)Pianist, Songwriter, Keyboardist, Music Teacher, conductor, Central Board of Film Certification
Instrument(s)Piano, Keyboard
Years active1987–2022
Websitewww.shillongchamberchoir.com

Neil Nongkynrih (9 July 1970 – 5 January 2022) was an Indian concert pianist and conductor. He founded the Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC), which won the reality show India's Got Talent in 2010.[1] He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India in 2015.[2]

Biography

Early life

Nongkynrih was born in Jaiaw Langsning, Khasi Hills district, Assam state at the time (now East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya state) to AH Scott Lyngdoh, a former state minister of Meghalaya and Elvirial Nongkynrih.[3] His grand- aunt introduced him to works by Mozart and Beethoven at an early age. Most of his initial lessons in music were from his sister, Pauline Warjri, a jazz musician. In 1988, against his father's wishes, he moved to the United Kingdom to study music.[4]

Music career

Nongkynrih studied music at Trinity College and Guildhall School of Music in London. He did numerous shows as a concert pianist in United Kingdom.[5]

Nongkynrih was also teaching music in Oxfordshire in addition to the concerts. One of his students is Philip Selway, member of the British band Radiohead.[6]

In 2001, Nongkynrih returned to India and started teaching piano in Shillong. In the same year, he founded the Shillong Chamber Choir.[7]

Neil Nongkynrih worked on a wide variety of musical genres ranging from Western and Indian Classical music to Bollywood and pop medleys. In 2010, his choir, The Shillong Chamber Choir, won the Indian television reality show India’s Got Talent.[8]

Neil Nongkynrih was bestowed with the Padma Shri (the fourth highest civilian award of India)  in 2015 for his contribution in the field of arts through his music.[9]

As director of the SCC, Neil Nongkynrih worked on several projects, albums and collaborations. Nongkynrih wrote an opera in Khasi, the native language of Meghalaya with the intention to revive the dialect. The opera titled ‘Sohlyngngem’ is based on a tragic Khasi folktale which is being woven into musical lingo by Nongkynrih and his team.[10]

Collaborations and social causes

Nongkynrih collaborated with various artists. Orchestras he collaborated with include The London Concertante and The Vienna Chamber Orchestra. He was also featured with the world renowned Fitz William Quartet in Switzerland in 2004.

Under the SCC banner, Nongkynrih worked on projects which have contributed to notable social causes. These include:

His choir also performed with artists such as Boman Irani, Usha Uthup, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, and Hariharan.

Personal life and death

Nongkynrih died in Mumbai on 5 January 2022, at the age of 51.[16]

Works and projects

Shillong Chamber Choir

Main article: Shillong Chamber Choir

Neil Nongkynrih came back home to Shillong, India in the year 2001 after fourteen years in Europe despite a promising career as a classical pianist. He heard the sounds of the guns early in 2001 and decided that he wanted to replace it with the sound of music.[17] From a very humble beginning where he attracted a group of ordinary young people and making their debut as the Shillong Chamber Choir, it led to locally singing a whole range of music; from folk to opera, from rock to jazz, blossoming even to Hindustani classical and revamped versions of Indian cinematic music.[18]

Based in Shillong, The Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) is an Indian chamber choir founded in 2001 by Neil Nongkynrih. The choir shot to fame after it won the reality talent show, India's Got Talent (Season 2) in October 2010, on Colors TV, part of the Got Talent franchise, where it performed western chorals, as well as choral-style revamps of Hindi film (Bollywood) classics.[19] The choir under the direction of Nongkynrih, participated in the 6th World Choir Games held at Shaoxing China (Shanghai) in July 2010 and was awarded Gold in all three categories - Musica Sacra, Gospel and Popular.[20] The choir also performed for former US President Barack Obama and the then first lady Michelle Obama during their visit to India in 2010.[21]

One of the notable events was when Neil Nongkynrih’s version of ‘Vande Maataram’ sung by the SCC was played on the reputed National Geographic Channel during the live telecast programme of landing of the Indian satellite ‘Chandrayaan – 2’.[22]

The SCC has performed extensively in India and has been touring various parts of the world. Over the years, The Shillong Chamber Choir has worked on several projects and collaborations under the leadership of Nongkynrih. With the SCC, Neil was working on revamping the Choir’s repertoire with many new compositions and out of the box medleys apart from the opera ‘Sohlyngngem’ that he was working on.[23]

Central Board of Film Certification

Apart from achieving laurels in music, Neil Nongkynrih served as a board member of India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from 2017 until his death.[24]

World Choir Council

In the year 2012, Neil Nongkynrih was appointed by the World Choir Council as the sole representative from India to represent the country on an international platform. Neil served as a member of the council from July 2012 - 2016.[25]

Sohlyngngem – The Opera

One of Neil's major projects includes an opera titled ‘Sohlyngngem’ which is based on a tragic Khasi folktale. Even though excerpts from the opera have been performed earlier, 3 pieces from the opera were performed by the SCC at the MTV India Music Summit in 2019, held in Jaipur which was a highlight of the 3 day musical event. Nongkynrih was still working on the opera and it will be performed by his choir, The Shillong Chamber Choir in all its entirety once it is completed.[26]

Home School – Shillong Chamber School

After his return to India, Neil started a home school at his residence in Shillong for the kids, who visited his home almost every day, to help them excel in regular as well as musical education. In 2008, renowned director Urmi Juvekar made a documentary on Neil’s life, titled ‘The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School’ which garnered attention at various film festivals across the globe.[27]

The school evolved into a proper establishment named the ‘Shillong Chamber School’ with around 20 students in attendance as of 2016. The school's curriculum ranges from regular studies to various arts like music and drama, sports and other activities. The students of the school have performed with the SCC and the European Concert Orchestra in Mumbai for a Christmas Concert and also before Rajiv Bajaj and cricketer MS Dhoni at a private event in Pune along with Neil and the choir.[28]

Honors and awards

  • Honorary doctorate for his contributions in the field of music, NIT Meghalaya, 2021[29]
  • Padma Shri, 2015[30]
  • U Tirot Sing Award, 2011[31][32]
  • Forbes Person of the Year, 2010‐11[33]
  • Member, World Choir Council[34]
  • Member, Central Board of Film Certification, India, 2017–2022 [35]

References

  1. ^ "Neil Nongkynrih - the North-East-India's Chopin". OK North East. 11 July 2014.
  2. ^ Owe my Padma Shri to god: Shillong Chamber Choir founder, Business Standard
  3. ^ "Neil Nongkynrih - the North-East-India's Chopin". OK North East. 11 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Bach in the hills". The Indian Express. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Beyond the chamber". The Hindu. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Neil Nongkynrih". British-school.org. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. ^ "All Together Now And With Feeling". Tehelka. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Shillong Choir wins 'India's Got Talent Khoj 2'". News18. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Neil Nongkynrih receives Padma Shri award". The Sentinel. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Khasi opera work on: Shillong choir founder". The Times of India. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  11. ^ "The Foundation". thefoundation.in. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Emissaries of peace from NE performs at the Gateway of India". Nagaland Post. 25 November 2012.
  13. ^ Shillong Choir open Saath Hai Hum Uttarakhand telethon, retrieved 23 February 2020
  14. ^ "Shillong Chamber Choir to perform for a global cause". The Sentinel. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Amitabh Bachchan to perform with Shillong Chamber Choir in Jodhpur". News18. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Shillong Chamber Choir founder Neil Nongkynrih dead". Press Trust of India.
  17. ^ Dutta, Aiyushman (27 June 2015). "The Shillong experiment". Livemint. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  18. ^ "I was the first person to be allowed to play Bollywood songs at St Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata: Neil Nongkynrih". India Today. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Shillong Chamber Choir wins India's Got Talent Khoj 2". Sify. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Bollywood aided Shillong choir's gold run". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Shillong Chamber Choir to perform for Barack Obama". The Hindu. PTI. 30 October 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. ^ "Shillong Chamber Choir to honour Chandrayaan 2's moon landing by singing Vande Mataram". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Singing opera in Khasi: The Shillong Chamber Choir - Toko Anu in conversation with William Richmond Basaiawmoit". indianculturalforum.in. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  24. ^ "I've great passion for films: Neil". The Shillong Times. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Neil appointed India rep to World Choir Council". The Shillong Times. June 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  26. ^ Nair, Malini (19 October 2019). "Giving Khasi language its due with an opera". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  27. ^ www.oberon.nl, Oberon Amsterdam, The Shillong Chamber Choir and the Little Home School | IDFA, retrieved 23 February 2020
  28. ^ Balasubramanian, Malavika (22 December 2016). "A very choral Christmas". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  29. ^ "NIT Meghalaya to confer honorary doctorate on Shillong Chamber Choir founder Neil Nongkynrih". Outlook India. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  30. ^ "SCC founder Nongkynrih conferred Padma Shri". The Shillong Times. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  31. ^ January 2011 "Republic day celebrated in the state". Department of Information and Public Relations. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  32. ^ "Padma Awards 2015". Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  33. ^ "The Shillong Choir: A Unique Note". Forbes (India). 28 December 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  34. ^ "Shillong choir founder named to World Choir Council". The Assam Tribune. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  35. ^ "CBFC Board Reconstituted". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
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