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'{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Neil Nongkynrih | image = Neil Nongkynrih in 2015.jpg | caption = | image_size = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist <!-- Pianist, conductor --> | birth_name = <!-- if different from "name" --> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|7|9|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]], [[India]] | occupation = [[Pianist]], [[Songwriter]], [[Keyboardist]], [[Music Teacher]], [[Conducting|conductor]], [[Central Board of Film Certification]] | genre = [[Classical music|Classical]], [[Pop Music|Pop]], [[Jazz]], [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani]], [[Folk music|Folk]], [[Opera]] | years_active = 1987–present | instrument = Piano, Keyboard | website = {{URL|http://www.shillongchamberchoir.com/}} }} '''Neil Nongkynrih''' (born 9 July 1970) is an award winning [[concert pianist]] from [[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]], [[India]]. He is the founder, mentor and conductor of [[Shillong Chamber Choir]] (SCC) which won the reality show ''[[India's Got Talent]]'' in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-north-east.com/2014/07/neil-nongkynrih.html |title=Neil Nongkynrih - the North-East-India's Chopin |publisher=India-north-east.com |date=2014-07-11 |accessdate=}}</ref> He was awarded [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award of India in 2015.<ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/owe-my-padma-shri-to-god-shillong-chamber-choir-founder-ians-interview-115012700427_1.html Owe my Padma Shri to god: Shillong Chamber Choir founder], ''[[Business Standard]]''</ref> ==Biography== ===Early life=== Nongkynrih was born in [[Meghalaya]], a north-eastern state of India to AH Scott Lyngdoh, a former state minister of Meghalaya and Elvirial Nongkynrih. He is staying in Pohkseh. He is the first professional musician of his family. Introduced to [[Mozart]] and [[Beethoven]] by his grand-aunt, Nongkynrih learnt most of his initial lessons from his sister Pauline Nongkynrih, a jazz musician. In 1988 Nongkynrih left for [[Great Britain]] as a young man to study music, against the wishes of his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/bach-in-the-hills/505101 |title=Bach in the hills |publisher=[[The Indian Express]] |date=2009-08-23 |accessdate=2014-07-11}}</ref> ===Music career=== Nongkynrih studied music at [[Trinity College of Music|Trinity College]] and [[Guildhall School of Music]] in [[London]]. He did numerous shows as a concert pianist in [[United Kingdom]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/beyond-the-chamber/article2702491.ece |title=Beyond the chamber |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=2011-12-10 |accessdate=2014-07-11}}</ref> Apart from the concerts, Nongkynrih was also teaching music in [[Oxfordshire]]. One of his many successful pupils is [[Philip Selway]], member of the popular [[United Kingdom|British]] band [[Radiohead]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-school.org/our-community/alumni/alumni-achievers/465.html |title=Neil Nongkynrih |publisher=British-school.org |accessdate=2014-07-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223027/http://www.british-school.org/our-community/alumni/alumni-achievers/465.html |archivedate=2014-07-14 }}</ref> In 2001, Nongkynrih returned to India and started teaching [[piano]] in Shillong. In the same year he founded the [[Shillong Chamber Choir]]. His lead singers are Ibarisha Lyngdoh and William Basaiawmoit .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/all-together-now-and-with-feeling |title=All Together Now And With Feeling |publisher=[[Tehelka]] |date=2010-10-16 |accessdate=2014-07-11}}</ref> Neil Nongkynrih has worked on a wide variety of musical genres ranging from Western and Indian Classical music to Bollywood and pop medleys. He rose to fame after his choir, The Shillong Chamber Choir won the Indian television reality show [[India's Got Talent|India’s Got Talent]] in 2010. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/indias-got-talent-2-349624.html|title=Shillong Choir wins 'India's Got Talent Khoj 2'|website=News18|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> Since then, Nongkynrih and his team have never looked back and have gradually increased in terms of repertoire and recognition. 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. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/neil-nongkynrih-receives-padma-shri-award/|title=Neil Nongkynrih receives Padma Shri award|date=2015-04-09|website=The Sentinel|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> Being the director of the SCC, Neil Nongkynrih has been working on several projects, albums and collaborations. Currently, Nongkynrih has been writing 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. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Khasi-opera-work-on-Shillong-choir-founder/articleshow/47750570.cms|title=Khasi opera work on: Shillong choir founder {{!}} Guwahati News - Times of India|last=Jun 21|first=TNN {{!}}|last2=2015|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23|last3=Ist|first3=06:11}}</ref> === Collaborations & Social Causes === Neil Nongkynrih till date, has collaborated with various artists to create soul stirring music. Orchestra's he has collaborated with include The London Concertante and The [[Vienna Chamber Orchestra]] to name a few. Neil has also been featured with the world renowned [[Fitzwilliam Quartet|Fitz William Quartet]] in his debut performance in Switzerland in 2004. Under his banner, the SCC, Neil has worked on some interesting projects which have contributed to notable social causes. Few of them to mention are: * Collaboration with tabla maestro [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Ustad Zakir Hussain]] for 'The Foundation' of which actor [[Rahul Bose]] is the founder. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thefoundation.in/equation-3.html|title=The Foundation|website=thefoundation.in|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> * Performances at the [[Gateway of India]] in remembrance of the 26/11 terror attacks in 2012 & 2013. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/emissaries-of-peace-from-ne-performs-at-the-gateway-of-india/178679.html|title=Emissaries of peace from NE performs at the Gateway of India|date=11/25/2012|website=Nagaland Post|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> * Performed for the Terry Fox Cancer Foundation. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theshillongtimes.com/2013/03/24/choir-country/|title=CHOIR COUNTRY|website=The Shillong Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> * Sang for 'Saath Hai Hum Uttarakhand' - a [[StarPlus|Star Plus]] fundraiser for the Uttarakhand flood relief. <ref>{{Citation|title=Shillong Choir open Saath Hai Hum Uttarakhand telethon|url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/shillong-choir-open-saath-hai-hum-uttarakhand-telethon-286988|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> * Held a concert for the 'Light of Life Trust' in Mumbai in 2012. <ref>{{Citation|title=Shillong chamber choir enthralls Mumbai|url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/shillong-chamber-choir-enthralls-mumbai-252498|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> * Performed with [[Amitabh Bachchan]] at the [[Global Citizen Festival]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/shillong-chamber-choir-to-perform-for-a-global-cause/|title=Shillong Chamber Choir to perform for a global cause|date=2016-11-19|website=The Sentinel|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> and Jodhpur One World Retreat. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/amitabh-bachchan-to-perform-with-shillong-chamber-choir-in-jodhpur-975030.html|title=Amitabh Bachchan to perform with Shillong Chamber Choir in Jodhpur|date=2015-03-20|website=News18|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> Nongkynrih and his choir have also performed with artists like [[Boman Irani]], [[Usha Uthup]], [[Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy|Shankar Ehsaan Loy]], and [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]. These are just a few to mention apart from a long list of interesting collaborations that have led to out-of-the-box music. ==Works and projects== ===<u>Shillong Chamber Choir</u>=== {{Main|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. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ja7XvmBeCmOhrnJtUd7k7M/The-Shillong-experiment.html|title=The Shillong experiment|last=Dutta|first=Aiyushman|date=2015-06-27|website=Livemint|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> 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. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-conclave-east-2017/story/india-today-conclave-east-2017-neil-nongkynrih-shillong-chamber-choir-padma-shri-music-1093712-2017-11-24|title=I was the first person to be allowed to play Bollywood songs at St Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata: Neil Nongkynrih|last=November 24|first=India Today Web Desk|last2=November 25|first2=2017UPDATED:|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23|last3=Ist|first3=2017 16:42}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/shillong-chamber-choir-wins-iindias-got-talent-khoj-2i-imagegallery-bollywood-kkfkCqcihchsi.html|title=Shillong Chamber Choir wins India's Got Talent Khoj 2|website=Sify|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bollywood-aided-shillong-choir-s-gold-run/story-ULUBAg8ECS9fGFfKCi1BwI.html|title=Bollywood aided Shillong choir's gold run|date=2010-07-30|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> The choir also performed for former [[US President]] [[Barack Obama]] and the then first lady [[Michelle Obama]] during their visit to India in 2010. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/Shillong-Chamber-Choir-to-perform-for-Barack-Obama/article15798201.ece|title=Shillong Chamber Choir to perform for Barack Obama|date=2010-10-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-23|others=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> 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 landing of the Indian satellite ‘[[Chandrayaan-2|Chandrayaan – 2]]’.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/trending/article/chandrayaan-2-landing-songshillong-chamber-choir-to-honour-chandrayaan-2s-moon-landing-by-singing-vande-mataram/483688|title=Shillong Chamber Choir to honour Chandrayaan 2's moon landing by singing Vande Mataram|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> 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 is working on revamping the Choir’s repertoire with many new compositions and out of the box medleys apart from the opera ‘Sohlyngngem’ that he is currently working on. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianculturalforum.in/2019/10/25/singing-opera-in-khasi-the-shillong-chamber-choir/|title=Singing opera in Khasi: The Shillong Chamber Choir - Toko Anu in conversation with William Richmond Basaiawmoit|website=indianculturalforum.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> <br /> === '''''<u>Central Board of Film Certification (</u>CBFC<u>)</u>''''' === Apart from achieving laurels in music, Neil Nongkynrih is currently serving as a board member of India’s [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC) community since 2017 which is the core body dealing with affairs of the [[Cinema of India|Indian Film Industry]], the biggest movie-making industry in the world. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theshillongtimes.com/2017/08/13/ive-great-passion-for-films-neil/|title=I’ve great passion for films: Neil|website=The Shillong Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> <br /> === ''<u>World Choir Council</u>'' === 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. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theshillongtimes.com/2012/06/02/neil-appointed-india-rep-to-world-choir-council/|title=Neil appointed India rep to World Choir Council|website=The Shillong Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> <br /> === '''''<u>Sohlyngngem – The Opera</u>''''' === One of Neil's major projects include an opera titled ‘Sohlyngngem’ which is based on a tragic [[Khasi language|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|MTV]] India Music Summit in 2019, held in Jaipur which caught a lot of attention since it is probably the first time that an Indian musician is writing an opera, that too, in a native dialect. Nongkynrih is still working on the opera and it will be performed by his choir, The Shillong Chamber Choir in all its entirety once it is ready. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Nair|first=Malini|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/giving-khasi-language-its-due-with-an-opera/article29743923.ece|title=Giving Khasi language its due with an opera|date=2019-10-19|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> <br /> === '''''<u>Home School – Shillong Chamber School</u>''''' === 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=2020-02-23}}</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. The school is affiliated to the [[IGCSE]] (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) syllabus, recognised in the UK. 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=2016-12-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-02-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ==Honors and awards== * [[Padma Shri]], 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2015/01/26/scc-founder-nongkynrih-conferred-padma-shri |title=SCC founder Nongkynrih conferred Padma Shri |publisher=The Shillong Times |date=2015-01-26 |accessdate=2015-01-26}}</ref> * U Tirot Sing Award, 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://megipr.nic.in/pr/pr.asp?dt=1/27/2011 |title=Republic day celebrated in the state |publisher=Department of Information and Public Relations |date=2011-01-27 |accessdate=2014-07-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20140715114823/http://megipr.nic.in/pr/pr.asp?dt=1/27/2011 |archivedate=2014-07-15 }}</ref><ref name=pdma>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards 2015|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6VrWjEuo3?url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=114952|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=114952|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=25 January 2015|archivedate=26 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Forbes Person of the Year, 2010‐11<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/person-of-the-year-10/the-shillong-choir-a-unique-note/20702/1 |title=The Shillong Choir: A Unique Note |publisher=[[Forbes (India)]] |date=2010-12-28 |accessdate=2014-07-11}}</ref> * Indian Chamber of Commerce Musician of the Year, 2010–11 * CNN IBN Special Achievement Award for Indian of the Year, 2010–11 * Kalabaaz of the year - Big TV Awards, 2011 * Member, World Choir Council<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0112/at04 |title=Shillong choir founder named to World Choir Council |publisher=[[The Assam Tribune]] |date=2012-06-01 |accessdate=2014-07-11}}</ref> *The Governor of Maryland, USA award for outstanding achievement, 2012 *Member, Central Board of Film Certification, India, 2017 - present <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=169928|title=CBFC Board Reconstituted|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Nongkynrih, Neil}} [[Category:1970 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Indian pianists]] [[Category:Indian conductors (music)]] [[Category:20th-century Indian musicians]] [[Category:People from Shillong]] [[Category:Alumni of Trinity College of Music]] [[Category:Music educators]] [[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]] [[Category:20th-century conductors (music)]] [[Category:21st-century conductors (music)]] [[Category:21st-century pianists]]'