For more than five decades, the streets of Shillong have echoed with the songs of Bob Dylan. This May, the city will once again host a celebration that has grown into one of Meghalaya’s most unique cultural traditions — the annual Bob Dylan’s Day tribute led by veteran musician Lou Majaw.
Shillong, May 9: Shillong is preparing to celebrate the 55th edition of Bob Dylan’s Day, a musical tradition that organisers describe as the world’s longest-running tribute to the legendary American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.The event, organised by Mawjam Event Network in association with the Lou Majaw Foundation, will take place on May 23 and 24 across multiple venues in Shillong, bringing together musicians, music lovers and longtime followers of the city’s rock culture.
The tribute was started in 1972 by Shillong musician Lou Majaw, who has spent decades performing Dylan’s songs and promoting the spirit of folk and protest music in Meghalaya. Over the years, the celebration has evolved from a small gathering into a major cultural event closely linked with Shillong’s identity as India’s rock capital.
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Organisers said this year’s edition will feature live performances, poetry, open-street music sessions and tribute concerts dedicated to Dylan’s legacy and influence on generations of musicians in the Northeast.
The first event is scheduled for May 23 at The Evening Club in Shillong, where Lou Majaw and The Electric Garden will perform in an intimate tribute concert beginning at 9 PM. On May 24, the celebrations will continue with a free public performance at Khyndailad in Police Bazar from 4 PM onwards.
Organisers said the open-street event is meant to preserve the community spirit that has defined Bob Dylan’s Day for decades.Musicians expected to perform include Lou Majaw, Reuben Z Lyndoh, Christopher Dylan Majaw and Phrangsngi Wahlang.Speaking about the event, Mawjam Event Network founder Edwigh Eddie Majaw described the celebration as more than just an annual concert.“Fifty-five years is not just a number. It is Shillong’s love letter to music,” he said.
Lou Majaw, widely regarded as one of Meghalaya’s most influential musicians, said Bob Dylan’s music helped shape generations of artists and listeners in Shillong.“Bob Dylan taught us that a song can be a newspaper, a prayer and a protest,” Lou Majaw said in a statement released by the organisers.
Over the years, the event has attracted attention from music enthusiasts and journalists from across India and abroad, helping place Shillong on the global music map.Organisers said the annual tribute has remained free and open to the public since its inception, surviving largely through community support and personal contributions.
Despite financial and logistical challenges, the organisers said they remain committed to preserving the tradition for future generations.
“This is not just a concert. It is part of Shillong’s cultural memory,” an organiser said.
Shillong’s long association with western music, rock bands and live performances has often earned the city recognition as India’s music capital. Events like Bob Dylan’s Day continue to reinforce that identity while also celebrating artistic freedom and community participation.
The 55th edition is expected to draw large crowds from across Meghalaya during the two-day celebration later this month.