"I long to taste from the fountains of love fearlessly." 

In 2006, Mawlong wrote her first Khasi song as an expression of love undiscovered in our solitary lives. Elaborating further, she writes for Raiot, "I write mostly about people/circumstances I encounter along the way. I am most driven and motivated especially by people who trusted me with their stories, and their compassion have pulled me through my own traumatic experiences. At a very tender age, I became aware of the complexities of being human. Music comes to me like the sky meets the sea." Passionate about the cause of liberation and justice for women, children and gays, she wields the infinite power of rhythm and music to challenge orthodoxy and celebrate lesbian love and lust in a climate of intolerance and fear.

[Watch the video below]

[Read Mawlong's translation of her lyrics as well as Gertrude Lamare's analysis of Syrngiew on Raiot.]

Words: Rhea Almeida