On Wednesday, Shillong Chamber Choir’s founder Neil Nongkynrih was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai after suffering from a brief sickness. He was 51-year-old.
A source close to Uncle Neil, as he was fondly known, informed that “He passed away after a surgery.”
The Choir expressed grief and stated, “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.”
"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 further said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took Twitter to pay condolence and said that he will be remembered for his contributions. PM Modi’s tweet read, “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”.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said he was saddened beyond words as we have lost a gem today. His tweet read, “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.”