28/02/2026
Mama Lucas: A Life Tuned to the Soul of Garo Hills
In Garo Hills, you don’t have to say his full name. Just say “Mama Lucas,” and people smile. That single name carries decades of music, memories, and mentorship.
Born on 8th February 1959 in Gangbangga Dalu, Lucas M. Marak grew alongside the evolving sound of Garo music — and in many ways, helped shape it.
His early years were marked by movement and uncertainty. Studies were interrupted during the Bangladesh War, and later financial hardship forced him to step away from higher education. But while classrooms faded, music did not. It stayed with him — in quiet evenings, in village gatherings, in church harmonies. What began as passion slowly became purpose.
His first songs — ‘Jikko Kimeba,’ ‘Lekka Doreng,’ and ‘Rapajok Toromko’ — were recorded at All India Radio Shillong. For many in the hills, hearing his voice on the radio was a proud moment. It was the sound of their own stories, their own language, carried across the airwaves.
Over the years, Mama Lucas became more than a singer. As a songwriter, composer, and producer, he gave Garo music depth and direction. Through Rongkuchak Production, he created space for others — young artists who needed guidance, a studio, or simply someone who believed in them. He recorded them, encouraged them, and helped them find their sound.
His popular songs, including ‘Gulmoris’ and ‘Binod Binod,’ continue to be played, sung, and remembered. Many of his works were printed in journals and remain part of the region’s musical archive.
Today, even after decades in the industry, Mama Lucas still records and supports fellow musicians. His journey is not defined by fame alone, but by consistency, humility, and service to his craft.
In the story of Garo music, Lucas Marak is not just a chapter — he is a continuing verse
