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Shillong Beats: Where Drum Circles Meet the Spirit of the Hills

Nestled in the Khasi Hills, Shillong is a city that breathes music. From soulful guitar ballads echoing through cafés to school choirs performing in harmony — rhythm is as essential as the air here.

Known for its rock roots and folk traditions, the city is now welcoming a new kind of soundscape: drum circles that blend ancient pulse with modern expression.


And just like Shillong itself, these circles are raw, real, and deeply connected to community.

The City of Music and Mountains

Shillong has always marched to the beat of its own drum. Quite literally. Its vibrant indie music scene, matrilineal culture, and deep connection to nature make it the perfect environment for a movement that thrives on improvisation, healing, and togetherness.


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Here’s why drum circles are resonating here:

  • They align with Shillong’s grassroots musical ethos — raw, collaborative, and local

  • They offer a community-building ritual that’s joyful and grounding

  • They blend beautifully with Khasi tribal percussive traditions

  • They support youth, artists, and educators in emotional expression and wellness

“Shillong is rhythm. It doesn’t need to adopt drum circles — it just needs to remember them.”— Local musician


community drum circel, drum circle workshop
Community Drum Circle

Young, Creative, Unapologetic

With institutions like NEHU (North-Eastern Hill University), St. Anthony’s, and IIM Shillong, the city has a vibrant, expressive youth culture. Students here are not afraid to create, critique, or collaborate.


Drum circles are becoming a go-to for:

  • Art festivals, storytelling nights, and creative open mics

  • College stress-relief programs and anti-anxiety peer circles

  • Jam nights in cafés across Police Bazar, Laban, and Nongthymmai

  • Mental health workshops and identity-safe spaces for queer and tribal youth

“We don’t want noise. We want noise that heals. Drum circles do that.”— Student

Nature-Infused Healing

With misty pine forests, sacred waterfalls, and a sky that changes every hour, Shillong is inherently meditative. People here often turn to nature for answers — and now, to drumming as a form of active meditation and connection.

Wellness-focused circles in Shillong:

  • Forest drumming and full moon sessions near Elephant Falls or Mawphlang

  • Sound healing sessions merging Khasi percussion with djembes

  • Women's drum circles rooted in matrilineal narratives and emotional release

  • NGO-driven sessions for children, youth, and the elderly in community halls


“There are rhythms that help you think. And there are rhythms that help you stop thinking. Shillong has both.”— Holistic therapist, Mawprem

Alternative Workspaces, Bold Communities

Shillong’s creative economy — musicians, photographers, community organisers, social entrepreneurs — is tight-knit and values collective energy over corporate culture. Drum circles are fast becoming a staple for team rituals, brand expression, and grassroots community activation.


Emerging use cases include:

  • Team retreats for educators, designers, and social ventures

  • Identity and resilience-building workshops in tribal communities

  • Drumming as part of theatre rehearsals and poetry slams

  • School and teacher trainings with rhythm-based group activities


“It’s not about being loud. It’s about being in sync. That’s the kind of leadership we need now.”— Facilitator, local NGO

📍Where to Find Drum Circles in Shillong:

  • Cafés in Laitumkhrah and Mawlai – indie jam nights

  • NEHU and St. Edmund’s campuses – youth-led circles

  • Open spaces like Ward’s Lake and Lady Hydari Park – community drumming

  • Retreat homes near Sohra and Umiam Lake – wellness sessions

  • Festivals like Shillong Autumn Festival, NH7 Weekender – interactive drum experiences



Shillong has always had a heart that beats loud and proud. Drum circles here aren’t just about music — they’re about identity, heritage, and healing. Whether it's the deep thud of the Khasi log drum or the echo of a djembe during a sunset jam, the rhythm here holds meaning.


In Shillong, drum circles are not a trend — they’re a return. A return to pulse, to place, and to people.

Because when a city is already singing, sometimes, it just needs a drum to come home.


 
 
 

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