Stage, sound & story: MLCU forges creative path for tourism & music students

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 19, 2025

The Departments of Tourism & Travel Management and Music at Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) jointly organized a two-day workshop titled “Storytelling in Tourism and Music: Bridging Culture, Emotion, and Experience through Theatre” from June 17 to 18, 2025, at the MLCU Hall, Nongrah.

The workshop aimed to enhance students’ skills in creative storytelling and theatrical expression while fostering cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and effective communication—key competencies in both the tourism and music sectors.

Renowned theatre artist Lapdiang Syiem facilitated the sessions, drawing from her distinctive approach rooted in Khasi folklore. Through interactive exercises, students engaged in techniques involving body movement, memory, and spatial awareness in performance. Technical elements such as lighting, props, and set design were also introduced, offering participants a comprehensive experience.

The participants included second-semester students from the Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management (BTTM) and MA Music programmes, promoting interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

The workshop concluded with student performances and a powerful theatrical presentation by Syiem on Ka Nohkalikai, accompanied by Apkyrmen Tangsong on traditional instruments. The act captivated the audience and left a lasting emotional impact.

By combining theory with practice, the workshop equipped students to craft compelling narratives and engage more meaningfully with audiences, whether as tour guides, performers, or storytellers.