Winter carnival will now include Simsang Beat Contest

Shillong, Nov 18: Scaling up the Simsang Festival in East Garo hills district headquarter Williamnagar, the district administration is adding another major attraction “Simsang Beat Contest- 2012” to the winter carnival.

East Garo hills deputy commissioner Vijay K Mantri told www.ohmeghalaya.com website that the beat contest will be organized in the line of the Horn Bill Festival and hoped to attract rock bands from all the north eastern states and also other parts of the country. He informed that already fourteen rock bands from three north eastern states-Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim and one from Maharashtra have already registered for the “Simsang Beat Contest.”

The four days winter carnival which will commence on December 11 will include dancing competition, food, flower and wine festivals, fashion show and Miss Simsang beauty contest. There will also be indigenous games.

Funded by the State Arts & Culture department, Mantri said that besides providing the opportunity for the local youths to showcase their talents it is also an effort to dispel the perception that East Garo hills is always under insurgents grip. He said, “ In fact people come and enjoys the winter festival and last year the response was very good with many people pouring in.”

Mantri also hoped to showcase the district and promote tourism. He said this is part of the effort to attract tourists in the district.

With this objective the “Simsang Beat Contest – 2012” is a national level contest between upcoming rock bands of the country. The winner of the contest will get cash prizes of Rs. 1 lakh and there is total Rs. 2 lakh prize money to be won.

There is no entry fee and it is open to all rock bands. Interested bands have been directed to send in demos of 2 (two) numbers either covers or originals in English only. The demos could be  e-mailed to simsangbeatcontest@gmail.com and the last date for sending in demos is 27th November.

Selected bands will be invited for the live auditions, which will be held on the 11th & 12th of December, 2012. The finals will be held on 14th December, 2012. Dormitory accommodations will be provided for those bands coming from outside Garo Hills.- By Our Reporter