The chaos and commotion of social life in Shillong and the frequent political turmoil around the years 1980 onwards have more reasons to cherish the patriotic songs as the genre of ethnic enthusiasm and passion. Those were the days when melody is the source of solace for the society in the midst of the regular social disorder that prevailed, particularly in the Shillong city. Among all creative pursuits, music has the power of motivation for excitement. This is the vocal force of the Pohrmen Sisters, Margaret and Mary that have overwhelmed the entire Khasi land with their mellow voices to discover the essence of modern Khasi music. Both Margaret and Mary Pohrmen were part of the Jingkieng Ksiar music album, led by renowned music exponent Rana Kharkongor, for the first ever Khasi music album in 1982. They were the only female vocalists of the group, which included the veterans like Heading Son Ryntathiang, Tom Taylor Mukhim, Amio Lyngskor and Snarwell Syiemlieh, the younger brother of another folk music legend, Skendrowell Syiemlieh.
Rana Kharkongor is considered as the pioneer of Khasi modern music declared that the Pohrmen sisters, Margaret and Mary were the ideal choice for female Khasi voice of that era to record in the popular Khasi modern music album for public distribution ‘Ka Jingkieng Ksiar’. ‘Their scintillating voices have captured the sentiment of the youth through the ages’, Kharkongor opined.
One of the finest Khasi musicians and a folk thinker, Phyrnai Marbañiang opined that the popularity and versatile performances of the Pohrmen Sisters have facilitated the emergence of modern Khasi music that has evolved through western fusion and other innovative pop music techniques. This was endorsed by few eminent local artistes of western music. On the one hand Lou Majaw termed fusion music as the noise of confusion, while Rudy Wallang acknowledged the tremendous influence and attraction of Khasi modern music at every occasion of local entertainment through the duet performance of Margaret and Mary Pohrmen. Along with few other versatile artistes of the era, they have set the benchmark of modern Khasi music genre, that has developed in to the tradition.
Margaret Pohrmen was born on 29th March, 1962, the middle sibling among three daughters; Elizabeth the eldest sister and her musical companion, Mary the youngest sister. Their parents, Mr Everest Jitem and Mrs Lawrencia Pohrmen have always been the source of inspiration and encouragement for their passion in music. Mary Pohrmen stated that her father was in constant support for every musical assignment and their debut performance took place in 1980 at Don Bosco Hall, Laitumkhrah. Their proficiency and enthusiasm in the field of music was further endorsed with a commendable gradation at the All India Radio on 22nd November, 1982 and the production of the super hit audio album ‘Namar Jongphi’ in 1986 composed by Mr. Ores Thangkhiew. Thereafter, Margaret joined Air India service in 1989 and the legacy is being continued by her youngest sister Mary Pohrmen, when she subsequently produced a solo album of her own lyrical composition ‘Jingkynmaw’ in 1987. It was a short journey of the music career for Margaret Pohrmen, but it had created incredible impact as some of the numbers from the album still echoed in certain households even today in Shillong opined some of the ardent fans of Khasi modern music. Shillong being the haven of Western music and the duo is equally adept with English music, and Rudy Wallang stated that the Pohrmen Sisters dominated the prestigious entertainment functions for nearly a decade. They used to be the guest singers for few reputed pop bands of that time and they were popularly known in the region as the ABBA of Shillong.
After almost three decade of service, Margaret desired to take care of her ailing mother, but destiny proven otherwise as she breathed her last on 2nd August, 2020; leaving several fans in shock and despair. She will be remembered in the annals of Khasi music archives.