Mumbai, May 25, 2026:: The participation and achievements of musicians from Northeast India at the South Asian Symphony Foundation (SASF) Youth Workshop and Concert 2026, was held in Bengaluru, India.

The SASF, Youth Workshop and Concert 2026 concluded with a grand orchestral finale in Bengaluru, bringing together promising young musicians, internationally acclaimed mentors, and members of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra (SASO) for an intensive week of artistic collaboration, ensemble training, and cultural exchange.

Representing Northeast India at the prestigious residency were Ambasal Cheran Momin from Meghalaya and Themsorin Hannah Ningshen from Manipur, both of whom proudly showcased the growing presence of western classical music and orchestral culture emerging from the region.

The successful concert finale, held at the KE Auditorium, Christ University Central Campus on 23 May, 2026, featured celebrated classical repertoire including Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. The performance received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience and reflected the dedication, discipline, and artistic excellence of the participating musicians.

Throughout the workshop, participants underwent rigorous orchestral rehearsals, sectional training, ensemble coaching, tutorials, and collaborative musical sessions under the guidance of internationally experienced mentors and South Asian Symphony Orchestra musicians. The residency created a professional learning environment where young artists from diverse cultural backgrounds could perform together while developing artistic discipline, teamwork, leadership, and musical excellence.

The representing from Meghalaya, Ambasal Cheran Momin currently serves as the Founding Member and President of the Venia Cultural Foundation (VCF) and the Artistic Director of the Venia Academy of Performing Arts and Music. His journey into music began at the age of 12 through guitar before, later he becoming actively involved as a bassist in his church. His passion for music gradually led him toward western classical studies, eventually studying violin at Earnest Music School (EMS), while gaining experience both as a performer and music educator.

After serving for five years as a government employee, Ambasal Momin made the life changing decision and to resign from public service and pursue music professionally. He relocated to Bengaluru to further his artistic development and later specialized in Double Bass performance. Over the years, he has performed with the Bangalore String Ensemble, appeared on the Kannada television reality program Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Colors TV, participated in London International Arts Festival (LIAF) and worked as a recording artist for South Indian film productions.

Further he seeked professional growth, Momin pursued an Artistic Diploma in Double Bass at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna, Austria, where he gained extensive international orchestral experience. One of his notable achievements included performing with the Philharmonic University of Vienna during a diplomatic concert celebrating India-Austria relations in 2023.

Joining him at the residency was violinist Themsorin Hannah Ningshen from Phungyar, Manipur, whose musical journey began at the age of seven. Over the past fifteen years, she has undergone extensive musical training in Shillong, New Delhi, and West Bengal. She holds a Grade 8 certification in Violin from Trinity College London and has completed music theory certifications from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Apart from violin, she is also proficient in piano and guitar.

Alongside her musical achievements, Hannah has consistently excelled academically. She holds a BA Honours degree in Sociology and an MA in Political Science. During her college years, she actively participated in Model United Nations conferences representing countries such as France and Egypt, earning the Best Delegation award and later serving as Secretary General organizing such conferences. She also participated in the Young Indians Youth Parliament, where she received an Honorable Mention.

Driven by her passion for arts education and youth empowerment, Hannah founded the Hannah School of Arts and recently organized a charity recital aimed at encouraging greater youth participation in classical music and artistic development.

Reflecting on the experience, both musicians described the SASF residency as professionally enriching, transformative, and deeply inspiring. They emphasized that music serves as a universal language capable of connecting people beyond cultural, political, and geographical boundaries.

Beyond performance, both artists also shared their long-term vision of strengthening music education, youth orchestra culture, and artistic collaboration across Northeast India through sustainable arts initiatives and international partnerships.

Through the Venia Cultural Foundation and Venia Academy of Performing Arts and Music, Ambasal aims to establish long-term music education systems including youth orchestras, string ensembles, teacher training programs, school outreach projects, and collaborative cultural initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of musicians from Northeast India.

The artists further highlighted the importance of creating sustainable development programs through music and the arts by using cultural education as a platform for youth empowerment, leadership development, community engagement, and creative career opportunities.

They also expressed hopes of promoting stronger cultural collaboration and artistic exchange among different Northeast Indian communities while creating opportunities for national and international partnerships with orchestras, institutions, cultural organizations, and artists from around the world.

According to the musicians, initiatives such as SASF residency not only strengthen artistic excellence but also contribute toward peace-building, cultural diplomacy, and meaningful global connections through music.

Ambasal Ch. Momin also had the valuable opportunity to interact with mentors and musicians from abroad, gaining meaningful exposure, guidance, and inspiration through the experience. The mentors and international faculty members expressed great excitement and interest in collaborating with faculty members and students from Meghalaya in the future through music education, workshops, cultural exchange programs, and concert initiatives.

Ambasal also shared his heartfelt vision of returning to contribute towards the growth of young musicians by teaching, mentoring, organising concerts, and helping build opportunities for the next generation of artists from Meghalaya.

At the conclusion of the concert, the orchestra received a warm standing ovation from the audience in appreciation of the performance, musical excellence, and cultural collaboration presented on stage. One of the memorable highlights of the evening was the performance of the Tamil song “Dingiri Dingale,” which brought vibrant energy and cultural celebration to the concert and was warmly appreciated by the audience, said Zeri Tesil Cheran Momin
Secretary Venia Cultural Foundation.