CM Conrad Sangma Honours 16 Artists at Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026
Synopsis
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma presented 16 awards to artists at the Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026 on World Music Day, celebrating homegrown talent including Jaiñtia Hills rapper Reble, who gained national recognition via the Dhurandhar 2 soundtrack. The event spotlights the state's Grassroots Music Program, running since 2022.
Key Takeaways
16 awards were presented by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to artists, groups and bands at the Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026 .
The ceremony was held on 21 June 2026 to mark World Music Day .
Rapper Reble , from the Jaiñtia Hills of Meghalaya, was highlighted as a national breakout success, noted for his work on the Dhurandhar 2 soundtrack.
The awards are linked to the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program , a state scheme launched in 2022 to support local musicians.
Meghalaya's Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities have strong indigenous music traditions that the programme seeks to preserve and promote.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Sunday, 21 June 2026 attended the Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026, a state-level ceremony held to mark World Music Day, where he personally handed over 16 awards to artists, groups and bands from across the state.
Context
The Hello Meghalaya Awards is an annual state programme that recognises musicians and performers from Meghalaya's diverse communities. This year's edition coincided with World Music Day (Fête de la Musique), observed globally on 21 June, giving the ceremony added symbolic weight. Chief Minister Sangma personally presented the awards, underlining the government's direct engagement with the state's cultural ecosystem.
Among the highlights of the evening was the Chief Minister's interaction with Reble, a rapper who hails from the Jaiñtia Hills region of Meghalaya. Reble has gained national recognition, including a contribution to the soundtrack of the film Dhurandhar 2, marking a significant crossover moment for a homegrown northeastern artist.
Policy Backdrop
The awards are closely linked to the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program, a state initiative launched in 2022 to provide institutional support to local musicians and emerging artists. The programme has been positioned as a long-term investment in the state's creative economy, offering visibility and resources to talent that might otherwise remain outside mainstream platforms.
Meghalaya's Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities carry rich indigenous music traditions spanning folk, gospel, rock and hip-hop. State governments in Northeast India have periodically organised cultural awards and artist-support schemes to preserve these performing arts while also integrating local talent into wider Indian entertainment circuits.
Stakeholders and Impact
The immediate beneficiaries of the 16 awards are the individual artists, groups and bands recognised at the ceremony. For many emerging performers, state-level recognition translates into greater access to funding, booking opportunities and media exposure. The Grassroots Music Program, running since 2022, has been cited by the Chief Minister as a vehicle through which the government has 'supported many of our talented artists.'
Reble's story is emblematic of the programme's broader aspiration: a rapper from the Jaiñtia Hills — a region not traditionally associated with mainstream Hindi-film music — earning a credit on a major Bollywood soundtrack. His profile at the awards ceremony signals the state's intent to project such success stories as models for younger artists.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program receives expanded funding or a wider mandate in the next state budget cycle. Future editions of the Hello Meghalaya Awards are expected to build on this year's World Music Day alignment, potentially drawing in artists from neighbouring northeastern states. Reble's growing national profile may also open doors for other Jaiñtia Hills and Meghalaya-based artists seeking crossover opportunities in Indian cinema and streaming platforms.
Point of View
The Meghalaya government signals an intent to align local tradition with global cultural calendars — a pattern increasingly common among Northeast Indian administrations seeking to raise their profile beyond the region. The Grassroots Music Program, now in its fourth year, is emerging as a template for state-backed artist development that could attract attention from other small states. Reble's Bollywood crossover moment gives the programme a concrete, marketable success story ahead of what are likely to be future budget discussions around its continuation and expansion.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hello Meghalaya Awards?
The Hello Meghalaya Awards is an annual state-level ceremony in Meghalaya that recognises outstanding musicians, artists, groups and bands from across the state. The 2026 edition was held on World Music Day, 21 June.
Who is Reble, the rapper from Meghalaya?
Reble is a rapper from the Jaiñtia Hills region of Meghalaya who has gained national recognition. He is noted for his contribution to the soundtrack of the film Dhurandhar 2, making him one of the more prominent homegrown hip-hop artists from Northeast India.
What is the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program?
Launched in 2022 by the Meghalaya state government under Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Grassroots Music Program is a scheme designed to provide support, visibility and resources to local musicians and emerging artists across the state.
How many awards were given at Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026?
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma personally handed over 16 awards to artists, groups and bands at the Hello Meghalaya Awards 2026 ceremony on 21 June 2026.
Why is Meghalaya known for music?
Meghalaya's Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities have deep-rooted indigenous music traditions spanning folk, gospel, rock and hip-hop. The state has cultivated a reputation as one of India's most musically vibrant regions, and successive state governments have organised events and schemes to promote this identity.
