Shillong Chamber Choir founder and noted music composer Neil Nongkynrih passed away at a hospital in Mumbai after a brief illness at the age of 51.

Uncle Neil, as he was fondly known to all, was admitted to Mumbai’s Reliance Hospital on Tuesday. 

“It is with deep sorrow that we, the members and management of the Shillong Chamber Choir, announce the death of our beloved founder and music director, Mr Neil Nongkynrih,” the Choir said in a statement.

“Uncle Neil was the life force of our world, a towering personality whose music, through the choir he so fondly nurtured, reached the ears of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, and some of the biggest names in the worlds of sports, culture, business, music, and film,” it said.

In 2010, he led his choir to win India’s Got Talent, catapulting the little Shillong unit to national and international stardom. In 2015, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. The win catapulted the group to international fame. 

They also performed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for visiting US President Barak Obama and Michelle Obama during their state visit to India. The Choir’s rendition of “Vande Mataram” was played during the telecast of Chandrayaan II’s launch.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning Neil Nongkynrih.

Mr. Neil Nongkynrih was an outstanding mentor to the Shillong Chamber Choir, which enthralled audiences globally. I have also witnessed some of their superb performances. He left us too soon. His creativity will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and admirers. RIP.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 5, 2022

I am saddened beyond words by the sudden demise of Padma Shri Neil Nongkynrih, founder of the famous Shillong Chamber Choir. He was a mentor to the country’s finest choir that serenaded crowds wherever they performed. We have lost a gem today. pic.twitter.com/MiFsJ23Xzm

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) January 5, 2022

Nongkynrih was born on July 9, 1970, to former Meghalaya minister and former chief secretary of Mizoram AH Scott Lyngdoh and Elvirial Nongkynrih.

Nongkynrih was the first professional musician from his family.

His grand-aunt had introduced him to Mozart and Beethoven and he learnt most of his initial lessons from his sister Pauline Nongkynrih, a jazz musician.

In 1988 Nongkynrih left for Great Britain to study music. He studied music at the Trinity College and Guildhall School of Music in London.

Apart from the concerts, Nongkynrih was also teaching music in Oxfordshire.

In 2001, Nongkynrih came back to India and started teaching piano in Shillong. Subsequently, he founded the Shillong Chamber Choir.

Nongkynrih rose to fame after his choir won the Indian television reality show India’s Got Talent in 2010. Since then, Nongkynrih and his team never looked back.

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