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Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shillong
Meghalaya Singing Champion Kitkupar Nongsiej to Represent India at WCOPA 2026
News reported by: Michael Makri (INS)
Kitkupar Nongsiej, winner of Ka Sur Kynud Season 3, Meghalaya's premier singing competition organised by the Don Bosco Media Network (DBMN), will represent India at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2026in Las Vegas, USA, from July 13 to 21.
Ahead of his departure, the Don Bosco Youth Centre (DBYC), Laitumkhrah, in collaboration with Don Bosco Media Network & TV, organised a prayer service and send-off ceremony on July 8 at the dbmnTv Main Studio. Church leaders, family members, media professionals, friends and well-wishers gathered to bless the young singer as he prepares for a major milestone in his musical career.
Kitkupar is scheduled to leave Shillong on July 10 with his father, Aibari Kupar Syiemlieh, before travelling to the United States. His participation was originally planned for the previous year but was postponed. During the intervening period, he continued to hone his musical skills for the international stage.
Hailing from Kynshi in Eastern West Khasi Hills, Kitkupar first gained statewide recognition with his victory in Ka Sur Kynud Season 3, earning the championship title and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh presented by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner R. M. Kurbah. Earlier, he had won Sur Kynud Niam Season 2, becoming one of Meghalaya's most promising young vocalists.
His musical journey has since taken him to the Shillong Chamber Choir, while an International Exposure Programme in Indonesia in 2025 further enriched his artistic and cultural experience.
Beyond contemporary music, Kitkupar has earned appreciation for promoting Khasi cultural heritage through performances of traditional folk songs. His ability to combine cultural authenticity with artistic excellence has made him an inspiration to aspiring musicians across the region.
Kitkupar secured his place in Team India after clearing a competitive international online audition for WCOPA, widely regarded as the "Olympics of Performing Arts." The championship brings together singers, dancers, musicians, actors and performers from more than 60 countries.
Addressing the send-off gathering, Rev. Fr. Michael Makri described Kitkupar's achievement as a testament to what can be accomplished through discipline, perseverance and opportunity. He expressed confidence that the young artist would represent both India and Meghalaya with distinction.
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Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Year of publication: 2026
Available from: 4 March 2026
Pages: 928 pp., Paperback
