New guitar ensemble Guinness world record by North-East
Shillong (PTI): An ensemble of 1,730 guitarists from across the North East on Friday strummed their way into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest guitar ensemble, surpassing the earlier record set by Kansas city, US.
Bob Dylan's classic 'Knocking on Heavens Door' was played as the participants, from four-year-old Archer Lyngdoh to legislator R L Tariang reprsenting a cross section of people, raised their guitars in the air as soon as the two Guinness appointed technical judges announced that the previous record was broken.
The strumming session 'Rhythms of Meghalaya' at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium eclipsed the record by 1,721 guitarists of Kansas City who had performed Deep Purple's rock classic 'Smoke on the Waters' on June four this year.
"We have done it again. Shillong has again come on the international map," Director General of Police, Meghalaya, B D Sawian, who was nominated as one of the two 'technical judges' by the Guinness authorities, said after the grand finale.
While the Guinness officials could not make it to the event, they nominated the DGP and the region's music exponent Dr LS Syiem as technical judges to oversee the event.
"The video recording of the event will be sent to the Guinness officials who will verify it and issue the certificate," said state Education minister and Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) Chairman RG Lyngdoh.
The actual number of guitarists was 1,731 with one entry being rejected.
National
