Margaret Shishak. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Patkai | May 27
Margaret Anne Shishak, instrumental in establishing western music in the Indian sub-continent and a co-shaper of Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) into a premier college in the North-East, is no more.
Reverently called Madam Margaret by those associated with her, she passed away around midday of May 27, while undergoing treatment at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research.
She was 80, and is survived by her husband, Rev Dr Tuisem A Shishak, co-founder as well as Principal Emeritus of the PCC, three sons and three daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.
Margaret’s mortal remains were brought to her residence in PCC campus, where the faculty, staff, students, alumni and others thronged to pay tribute. According to college and family sources, her final funeral service is scheduled to be held at 2 pm at Bundrock Chapel Auditorium on May 30.
‘Music missionary’ to Nagas from Washington DC
Born on November 25, 1941 in Washington DC, Margaret’s family later moved to Northern Virginia. Following her high school, she joined Moody Bible Institute, Chicago where, among others, she earned organ major in 1962. Later, she received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan,
As per a biographical tribute by compiled by the Patkai Class of 1997-98 titled ‘As We Know Them: The Shishaks,’ Margaret met her husband, Rev Dr Tuisem while serving as an organist in a church in Buffalo, New York, where the latter was a member.
They were married on August 29, 1970. The couple moved to Nagaland in 1973 and after moving to the Patkai campus in 1974, she recalled people describing the newly established institute as a “jungle college,” but they later nurtured into a premier college in the North-East.
Nagaland’s first Christian liberal arts college is now the first in the North-East to be granted autonomy by the University Grant Commission in 2005.
Patkai music programme initially started as a non-credit course and she started staff notation from 1974, besides giving piano lessons.
She was the music teacher until 1991, when a former student, Dr Vivee Peseyie joined to establish the first Pre-University (Vocational) music course in colleges under the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
In 2014, in recognition of her contribution to western classical and Church music development in the region, the Patkai Board of Trustees decided to name the Patkai Department of Music the ‘Margaret Shishak School of Music’ (MSSM) offering Bachelor of Music for the first time.
She was serving as the Director of Music, PCC till her last breath.
Because of her: Legacy celebrated
Meanwhile, as the news of Margaret’s demise spread, tributes began to pour in from various quarters, which among other, particularly celebrated her musical legacy.
“I am where I am today because of her,” foremost piano maestro and a student, Nise Meruno stated in an update, informing that she took him under her care when he was 6. “You will be deeply missed but your music will continue to live on in our hearts,” he added.
Popular Naga musician Alobo Naga also recalled how during his college days in Patkai, he used to “go to chapel hall just to listen her play the organ.” “We dedicated a room in our music school for her but sadly she could not come and visit… You will always be there in our heart and will remember you every time we play music,” said the owner of Musik-A (Alobo Naga School of Music) in a Facebook post.
PCC Principal, Dr Thepfuvilie Pieru noted that her demise has left a huge void but Patkai will continue to cherish the sweet memories that she left behind.
“Today, I grieve the passing away of my teacher and mentor, whom I also address as Aunt Margaret," stated Dr Vivee, currently the Dean of MSSM. Recalling her association with ‘Aunt Margaret,’ she said: “She taught me piano when I first joined Patkai Christian College in 1978 as an undergraduate in BA degree programme. Since then, I've always valued her feedbacks on music- related matters.”
She always strived for excellence and was deeply sensitive to the nuances of the music in her performances. We still needed to learn so much more from her. However, the wonderful legacy - the music she taught, will continue to live on in the lives of those she had mentored all these 48 years, she added.
Paying her tribute, VP, PCC, Angel Sonari said that she was instrumental in creating what Patkai is today and her legacy will continue to guide the college.
From the very beginning, she has groomed hundreds of qualified musicians, who are now playing pivotal roles in the evolution of the Naga music industry, and in the various Church music ministries, not only in Nagaland but in many other NE States also, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated in a message.
Theja Meru, Advisor, Task Force for Music & Arts (YRS) called her a “talented and wonderful soul” who led, guided, and inspired generations of musicians.
The article has been updated to correct a factual error regarding the timing of the funeral.
