DYLAN FEST IN SHILLONG

“Rock on at the scintillating concert where fans bow to the god of the guitar”

If you visit Shillong once, you will keep coming back again and again, goes an old saying. The same sentiment echoes for the annual Bob Dylan fest in Shillong which began on May 24, 1972 to celebrate Dylan’s music, a tradition that continues every year on his birthday. As a young performer in the heydays of Kolkata’s Park Street, the now iconic Lou Majaw was introduced to Dylan’s songs. This introduction started a lifelong love for Dylan’s tunes, hence the long running duration. A selective and most devoted group of people, from Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Guwahati and other parts of the north – east region and of course Shillong, attend the Dylan fest.

Taking the form of story – telling from folk music and the blues, Dylan changed the way popular music would be written. Besides his seemingly effortless genius with lyrics, he has been and continues to be a musical stylist constantly evolving a sound that is his own. The same culture of ethos continues to evoke in the celebration at Meghalaya’s capital.

Die- hard Dylan fans (mostly graying), to some that don’t really know the music nevertheless partake to 

be enveloped by the energy and become one with the spirited soulfulness that is Dylan’s music. After all, this is rock n roll at its rawest delivered by the ace of Spades – Lou Majaw on vocals and guitar, accompanied by fellow Dylanites Lew Hilt on bass, Nondon Bagchi on drums. The band gets together once in a year just to play on Dylan’s birthday celebration in Shillong and Kolkata. Very often, the show starts with Majaw playing a couple of Solo tracks – Tambourine Man or Buckets of rain – and the band join in shortly. This is the listening part of the show as the audience’s eyes are locked and riveted on Majaw as he sings the gospel… according to Bob.

The Dylan fest is not about fancy pyrotechnics or incessant extravaganza but about the essence of the legendary prophetic singer’s time less music. Just the way Dylan himself would want it.

The original inhabitants of the Himalayan Kingdom

The tribes in Manali are said to be the original inhabitants of the Himalayan kingdom. One can come face to face with their real traditions by closely observing their customs and rituals. The tribes of the region are the true representatives of Manali people, culture and festivals.There are various tribes in manali, which depict the socio- cultural variation and liveliness of the place
The main city of Manali comprises of a mixed population, they are mostly well educated. However, the local customs and rituals of the indigenous tribes can be experienced around the city of Manali. Most of the local inhabitants are the original tribal community of Kinnaur. About 90% of the locals communicate in manali language however due to continue contact with outsiders, rest of the group also speaks Hindi and other Pahari languages. Gujjars are a prominent tribal group that dwells in the environs of Manali. Most of them are hunters and gatherers who keep on moving from one place to another in search of food and fodder. The diverse ceremonies and customs of the racial tribes of Manali make the place more colorful and attractive to tourists.

Folk Dances of Manali
The various tribal communities that dwell in and around Manali follow different customs and traditions. The various native folk dances of Manali reflect the rich traditions of the tribes. The dance forms when performed with the proper musical instruments and folk songs, reflect the creative imagination and artistic talent of the dancers. The Naati, Karthi, Kayang and Bakayang are the commendable performing arts of the areas in and around Manali. Each of the dance forms is related with a particular event and is performed on special festive occasion. For instance Naati dance form is performed in all festive occasion, whereas Karthi dance depicts the importance of the harvest festival. Apart from the performers, the viewers also enjoy every step of the folk dances. The dance is performed with dedication and enthusiasm. The tribal society encourages the participation of all the members in the folk dance. However most of the participants who faultlessly perform the traditional art are the young Manali people.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

 "I am the eagle, I live in high country, 

in rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky;
I am the hawk and there`s blood on my feathers,
but time is still turning they soon will be dry;
All those who see me, and all who believe in me,
share in the freedom I feel when I fly."
-- John Denver (American Singer and Song Writer)

 The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located at a distance of 16 kms west of Kottayam in Kumarakom. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres on the eastern banks of Vembanad Lake, known for its varied avian population. Also known as the ornithologist`s paradise, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the most favorite hubs of migratory birds. The region was once the site for the rubber plantation and is a haunt for a variety of domestic and migratory birds. Some of the birds flock here from the Himalayas, and even some birds come from the snow-kissed hills of Siberia. During the rainy season some of the India`s most spectacular avians gather in their optimum haunts to court their mates and nest in huge colonies in the trees that line the paths of the sanctuary.

October to February is the time for traveling birds, such as the garganey teal, osprey, marsh harrier and steppey eagle, while May to July is the breeding season for local species, such as the Indian shag, pond herons, egrets and darters. Early morning is the best viewing time. The best option to visit the sanctuary is by foot by a one and half km long walking track. Most of the species of the birds are spotted on the track. One can also opt to take a boat ride, which brings you, closer to waders like waterfowl and ducks and some fliers like parrots, larks and flycatchers.

The sanctuary turns into a transit point during the months of November to February for the migratory birds. The main attractions are local birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. The sanctuary contentedly hosts more than a few hundred varieties of local birds. Apart from the local birds every year, over 60 species of migratory birds flock here in large numbers. A large variety of fish, mussels and crabs is also found in the Sanctuary. One can also see a variety of species of butterflies and moths quiver by. There is also a variety of species of mudskippers, crabs, and turtles found on the shoreline. One can also find fish and even crocodiles deeper in the water.

Along with the birds, the animals which are found in the sanctuary include Bears, Elephants, civet cats, lion-tailed macaque, Deer, monkeys, Tigers, Neelgai Tahr, Wild Pigs, Leopards, deer, squirrels including the Malabar giant squirrel. A wide variety of snakes like Python, Cobra, Cipher, Rat Snake, and Iguana are also seen in the park. One should plan a visit to Kumarakom, to enjoy the incalculable show of avian acrobats.

Timing: 6 am to 6.30 pm

Best Time to Visit: Between November and March

It’s all about size - Akshardham Temple

Located on the eastern fringes of Delhi, is grand, gorgeous and gigantic.

 “Big, big, big.” That was Mac’s reaction when he was on his way out from the Akshardham temple.  The Spanish tourist had hit the nail on the head. consecrated in November 2005 by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, the temple has earned a place for itself in the Guinness World Records for its sheer size.

The ‘World’s largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple’, as it is listed, is a sprawling Rs 200 crore pink sandstone construction spread over 100 acres of land. Made out of panch dhatu in accordance with the Hindu tradition, the sanctum sanctorum also has idols of prominent Hindu deities.

Designed by Ahmedabad – based architect Veerendra Trivedi, the monument rests on the shoulders of 148 stone elephants depicting ancient tales from the Indian scriptures.  The Temple is built according to ancient standards without using any steel and is designed to last 1000 years. Narayan Sarovar, a water body, contains waters drawn from the 151 holy rivers visited by Lord Swaminarayan.

A large central monument crafted entirely of stone, an IMAX cinema, a musical fountain, landscaped gardens and a restaurant that serves excellent vegetarian food are some of the other attractions.

Yercaud - the poor man’s Ooty

If Ooty is the `Queen of the Hills`, then Yercaud is a princess. The other districts of the region are hot and humid with the only silver lining, Yercaud.

Yercaud is how the Brits got around the tongue – twister `Yericaud`. Yercaud got its name from the combination of two Tamil words `yer` and kaddu which correspondingly mean lake and forest.

Yercaud is one of the India’s cheapest hill station destinations. Yercaud is so rich in its natural charm and its potential for bountiful discovery that to label it `cheap` would be truly insulting. It’s sometimes referred to as the ``Poor man’s Ooty``, but ``smart man’s Ooty would be nearer the mark. .

In southern India when ever some one talks about a hill station then the two names that come into mind are Ooty and Kodaikanal. No mention is ever made, even in passing, of Yercaud. A majority of people don’t even consider Yercaud as a hill station. Yercaud is as beautiful as Ooty and Kodaikanal but is remarkably cheaper than both of them. May be this is the logic behind calling it as the `Poor Man’s Ooty`.

All along the route to Yercaud one will find monkeys playing high jinks and trees with violet flowers make one wonder where one is heading towards. There is greenery every where which is a new experience, for the city bred. Yercaud is famous for coffee and pepper in much or less the same way, Ooty and Kodaikanal are famous for tea.

The Britishers used Yercaud as summer retreat and their inheritance is all over the place. Rows of houses, much like ants moving in files, speckle the entire hills. The number of places to be seen in Yercaud may not be many, but each one of them is really worth the visit. "October and November are the best months to visit Yercaud. Yercaud is a less expensive place than other tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu and is preferred by the middle class. The entire family can tour Yercaud on a budget of about Rs.1000 by a car. An annual flower show is organized in the month of May. Another major difference between Yercaud and any where else in Tamil Nadu is the difference between the prices.


Located: 35 kms from Salem
How to Reach: One hour by bus from Salem
Altitude: 1500 metres