Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Lily Sawian Takes Khasi Music Beyond Shillong
Lily Sawian is a singer and songwriter from Shillong who sings in the Khasi language.
She started singing when she was very young in her church choir.
Her parents also encouraged her love of music.
At school, she sang in competitions and wrote poems that helped her write songs.
Lily studied Planned Molecular Biology before focusing more on music.
She mixes Khasi folk music with styles such as jazz and blues.
She performed for audiences in Delhi at the North East Students’ Festival.
Lily says performing away from home made her feel grateful and blessed.
Her music is helping more people hear Khasi culture outside Shillong.
Khasi singer-songwriter Lily Sawian performed at NESt Fest 2026 in Delhi on September 4 and 5.
Sawian began singing in childhood through her church choir and school competitions in Shillong.
She records songs in Khasi and English, blending folk music with jazz, blues and other genres.
Her 2016 Miss Cherry Blossom title helped build her confidence, exposure and industry connections.
Sawian was inspired by Tipriti Kharbangar and later praised as a new generation of Khasi singers.
- Who
- Khasi singer-songwriter Lily Sawian, also known by her birth name Adoryllene, was a featured performer.
- What
- She performed her music at the ninth North East Students’ Festival, while sharing her journey from Shillong to wider stages.
- When
- The festival was held on September 4 and 5, 2026; Sawian began recording songs around 2011 and won Miss Cherry Blossom in 2016.
- Where
- The festival took place at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in Delhi; Sawian is from Shillong, Meghalaya.
- Why
- Her performance showcased Khasi music and reflected the festival’s focus on the cultural contributions of India’s Northeast.
- Artist
- Lily Sawian, a 30-year-old Khasi singer-songwriter
- Stage name
- Lily; her birth name is Adoryllene
- Festival
- Ninth North East Students’ Festival, or NESt Fest 2026
- Festival dates
- September 4 and 5, 2026
- Venue
- Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Delhi
- Festival theme
- ‘The Sound of India’s Yuva Shakti’
- Musical style
- Traditional fusion combining folk music with genres including jazz and blues
- Languages
- Mostly Khasi, and sometimes English