TURA, March 1 � At a time when the Garo Hills region has been plagued with the problem of insurgency that just doesn�t die down, a group of passionate musicians have been enthralling audiences in the East Garo Hills region and Williamnagar, known more for its guns than the guitar.
The rock band originated in 2009, with the name of �Walmisi� and then evolved into Raiders after a part of the original band members left to pursue other opportunities. The band now consists of Silrak Momin (guitar and vocals), Luckbirth D Shira (vocals), Yangchang S Sangma (guitar), Lolo Sangma (vocals), Titu Momin (guitar) and Akan Momin (drums).
�We have been in love with music since any of us can remember and this passion is something that we have worked on. We all got together as we didn�t know anything better than this�, said Silrak Momin.
�The region has been infested by violence and we wanted to give ourselves a chance to be at peace. Music gave us those moments, where we could forget the problems and just be happy�, said Luckbirth D Shira.
The band has been active in stage shows all over the Garo Hills region and is now setting its sights on being a part of the North Eastern music stage.
�We recently performed at the Nokpante festival in Damas in North Garo Hills where despite the chill the crowd kept egging us to perform. They stood listening to us till the early hours of the morning�, added Silrak.
The band has already cut two albums, one with the old band members and the new one with the current group.
�We have done covers for most English bands while also creating our own songs, mostly in Garo. The songs speak of love between people, fondness for our culture as remembrance of our culture. This is our way of trying to get things right for the region�, said Lulu Marak, who has also been performing patriotic songs every year during the Pa Togan Nengminza memorial day.
The band has created some popular numbers through the years like �Balpakram, Ka.sara ama, �Sesoan dongjama� among others and hope that their act and success can help others to eschew the gun and don things more meaningful.
�We hope people take to music or anything that they are good at and eschew the path of violence. We really need everyone to think for one another and make Garo Hills the place it had always been � peaceful, serene and happy�, said Luckbirth.
The band hopes to make waves this year on the North Eastern circuit before trying to get into the national scene, something that will be a huge achievement for not only them but for the people of East Garo Hills.
