‘Ambush’ from Karbi Anglong wins first runners-up title at Melo Tea Fest

DIPHU — ‘Ambush,’ a political rap rock band from Karbi Anglong was awarded the first runners-up at Melo Tea Fest — an open band competition — held at Chaw Rasta in Darjeeling, West Bengal held from Dec. 22 till the 24th.

The band received a cash prize of INR 3 lakh and certificates.

The Chromatic band from Darjeeling won the competition and received a cash prize of INR 5 lakh and certificates. Guns From Countrysidefrom Sikkim was declared second runners-up and received a cash prize of INR 2 lakh and certificates.

Renowned band Parikrama was the judge for the competition.

The event was organised by Darjeeling Police to showcase the rich cultural tapestry of the region where the special emphasis was laid on music, tradition and renowned Darjeeling tea.

The festival, named Melo Tea, is derived from “melody” and “tea,” paying homage to the music and tea-making heritage of Darjeeling.

The attraction of the event was the band competition featuring performances by 12 shortlisted bands, representing a selection from 75 entrants across Nepal, Kolkata, Shillong, Karbi Anglong, Delhi, Sikkim, and Darjeeling.

Ambush in the final rounds performed two cover songs ‘Bull on Parade’ by Rage Against The Machine (RATM) and ‘They Don’t care about us’ by Michael Jackson and one original number ‘Song against mob lynching. The band consists of five members including the manager. Risim Rongpi (vocalist), Jitu Tokbi (bass), Amarjit Bey (guitar), Deowinson Engti (drums) and Sarbong Tokbi as the band manager.

The band formed in 2015 has won several competitions in the Northeast region and outside.

The band won the first runners-up title in 2017 Falcon Festival, Umrangso and in Shi Rock competition, Manipur in 2018, second runners-up in National Rock Contest at Hornbill Festival, Nagaland in 2018. The band has also performed as the opening act during Michael Angelo Batio, an American heavy metal guitarist’s visit in Diphu and participated at the Sun Fire Rock Contest in Bangalore and broadcast videos on MTV Indies. The band also played at MTV Indies Rhythm 8, at Dwijing Fest, Udalguri and at CIT, Kokrajhar.

Ambush will be performing at the golden jubilee celebrations of Karbi Youth Festival at Taralangso in January, 2024.