TURA, Aug 30 - For the first time ever, a Garo song has become a rage in the music world after its airing on the MTV Indies channel. The song by Mikhail Marak speaks for peace.
The song was first aired on August 26 and is presently playing daily on the channel.
�I was deeply hurt by the unrest in Garo Hills, which gave birth to the idea of writing a song to appeal for peace�, said Mikhail. He has completed his post graduation in filmmaking specialising in Audiography from Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata. Mikhal earlier obtained his BA in Music from St. Anthony�s College, Shillong.
He approached MTV Indies in January and as advised by the channel obtained the censor certificate for the song. He submitted the video to MTV Indies in February.
�I was personally hurt and pained at the brutal killing of Josbina Sangma and shooting of a petrol pump worker in Tura last year. I felt that this had to stop and someone had to take the initiative. Music is a powerful form of expression and a tool that could move heart and soul of all. Why not use it as a message of love and sing a prayer for peace�, he said.
He later wrote the song before composing it. A video for the song was shot last year in December and sung by 16 artists. He was recently honoured by the Meghalaya Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for the music video under the category of peace and harmony. Earlier, this year, he won the National Students� Film Award (NSFA) for �best sound design� for an experimental film � �For Children Only�.
In 2014, Mikhail was selected to represent India at the Asian Film Academy, Busan in South Korea, where he won an award scholarship from Dongseo University for �best teamwork in short film production�. He also won �best sound mixing� award for �A Bhadralok�s Adventure� at the 7th Filmsaaz 2014 in international category.
Presently, he is working on a few Garo single numbers. �I want to showcase the beauty of Garo Hills and the vibrant culture of the Garos through music�, added Mikhail on his plans for the future.
