Shillong Chamber Choir founder 'Uncle Neil' passes away

Noted music composer Neil Nongkynrih, founder-mentor of the Shillong Chamber Choir, has died in Mumbai after a brief illness. He was 52. The Padma Shri winner, fondly called Uncle Neil, led the SCC to national fame after a reality TV show about a decade ago.

An alumni of London's prestigious Trinity College of Music and of Guildhall School of Music, Neil performed and taught music in England before returning in 2001 to set up the SCC. In 2009, the Shillong Chamber Choir collaborated with the famed Vienna Orchestra for a series of concerts. The next year, the choir also won gold awards at the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China in three categories.

In 2010, the choir won the reality show `India's Got Talent'. They were unsure how a western classical musical choir would work on a mass audience show. But then, they clicked in a big way.

The choir led by Neil has also collaborated with Britain's Fitzwilliam Quartet. It has also teamed up with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Usha Uthup and Shankar Ehsan Loy. Their Christmas album in 2011 became India's highest selling non-movie music album.

In 2010, the choir performed for former US President Barack Obama and the then first lady Michelle Obama during their visit to India. The SCC's version of 'Vande Mataram' was played during the live telecast program Indian space rocket Chandrayaan - 2's landing on the moon

PM Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to the noted composer. "He left us too soon. His creativity will always be remembered," the PM tweeted. His team in a moving tribute called him the " life force of our world".