From the quiet, misty expanses of Kynshi village in the Eastern West Khasi Hills District to the glittering international stage of Las Vegas, the journey of twenty-three-year-old Kitkupar Nongsiej is a testament to raw talent, unwavering perseverance, and the power of a childhood dream.
As the eldest of four siblings, Kitkupar grew up carrying both the responsibilities of his family and an extraordinary musical gift that revealed itself at a very young age. His musical journey began when he was just six years old, singing in the sacred, acoustic surroundings of his local church.
It was there that his father, Aibari Kupar Syiemlieh, first recognised the remarkable potential in his son. Seeing the depth of his talent, he became Kitkupar’s first mentor, encouraging him to participate in singing competitions by the age of nine. Those early contests laid the foundation for a passion that would eventually take him far beyond the hills of Meghalaya.
By the age of eleven, Kitkupar was already performing on larger stages, competing in major local contests focused on traditional Khasi singing. His versatility and artistic confidence became evident during a major regional finale, where he made the bold decision to perform an English song.
The choice paid off, earning him the title of first runner-up in a major competition held for the West South West Khasi Hills. The achievement proved to be a defining moment, strengthening his confidence and convincing him that music was not merely a hobby but a lifelong calling.
Since then, his journey has been marked by a series of notable accomplishments. Among them are a victory at a competition held during the prestigious Cherry Blossom Festival and his crowning achievement as the grand champion of the highly acclaimed local singing competition, Ka Sur Kynud Season Three.
Today, Kitkupar stands on the threshold of a historic milestone, not only for himself but also for India. Having been a member of the internationally acclaimed Shillong Chamber Choir for the past four months, he has undergone rigorous preparation for the biggest challenge of his musical career.
He has been selected to represent both Meghalaya and India at the prestigious World Championship of Performing Arts, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America.
The championship is scheduled to take place from July 13 to July 21, 2026, with the much-awaited Grand Finale on July 20. The event will bring together elite performers from sixty countries, all competing on one of the world’s most prestigious performing arts platforms.
Remarkably, Kitkupar will be India’s lone representative at the championship. It also marks the first time an artist from India will showcase their talent at this level through the direct lineage of the Shillong Chamber Choir’s legacy.
The road to this international stage, however, was not without challenges. Kitkupar had originally been scheduled to travel to the United States last year to compete in the championship.
However, due to global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions that disrupted international travel and scheduling, the competition was officially postponed to July this year. Rather than allowing the delay to discourage him, Kitkupar used the additional time to refine his skills and strengthen his repertoire.
He readily acknowledges that the upcoming competition will be immensely challenging. Yet, he has left no stone unturned in preparing for the global stage.
To demonstrate the full range of his vocal abilities, he has chosen to compete in four different musical categoriesā€”Rock, Jazz, Pop and Gospelā€”with the ambitious hope of winning them all.
While he admits to feeling naturally nervous about competing on such a prestigious international platform, he says his strongest emotion is one of hope and determination to deliver his very best performance for his country.
Behind this rising star stands a community that deeply appreciates the significance of his journey. On a recent Wednesday, the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Laitumkhrah, Shillongā€”the organisation behind the Ka Sur Kynud competitionā€”together with the Don Bosco Media Network and TV, organised a heartfelt send-off and prayer service for Kitkupar ahead of his departure.
The programme was held shortly before he was scheduled to leave Shillong on July 10. It brought together family, friends, mentors and well-wishers in a moving celebration filled with prayers, blessings and encouragement.
The event was conducted by the Director of the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Reverend Father Michael Makri, while the Shillong Salesian Provincial, Reverend Father John Zosiama, attended as the chief guest.
The ceremony included an opening prayer, a scripture reading and a special blessing offered by Reverend Pastor A.I. Kharshiing, who prayed for the safety and success of Kitkupar and his father, who will accompany him to Nevada throughout the journey.
Among those present were Kitkupar’s proud parents, his supportive siblings, close friends, members of the Don Bosco Media Network and representatives of the Shillong press.
For the Don Bosco Media Network, supporting Kitkupar reflects its continuing commitment to nurturing the talents of Meghalaya’s youth and creating opportunities for them to excel on the global stage.
Amid the excitement of international travel and the prospect of competing before a global audience, Kitkupar remains firmly grounded by a higher purpose.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the State Government and the Chief Minister for providing the financial and logistical support that made his journey possible, he shared the dream closest to his heart.
Should he emerge victorious in the United States, Kitkupar hopes to use his success and platform to provide meaningful assistance to differently-abled individuals. He says this desire to serve those in need has been with him since childhood, proving that while his voice may be destined for the world, his heart remains firmly rooted in serving his people.
