SHILLONG (BBC News) -- capital of India's north-eastern state of Meghalaya -- has literally "beaten" its way into the record books. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) assembled no fewer than 7,951 drummers in the picturesque hill town to set the new record, which was verified by an official from Guinness World Records.

The Meghalayan drummers broke the record of a Hong Kong charity, which in February 2005 brought together 7,727 drummers.

Drummers from far and wide attended the event -- with many people traveling on foot from remote areas of the state including the villages of the East Khasi Hills. The more rhythmically challenged were given lessons prior to the event -- staged to celebrate the onset of autumn -- so that they did not lose their sense of beat on the big day itself.

Young and old, professionals and amateurs, all were encouraged to take part in the mass drum gathering. Many took time off their studies to practice rigorously in the weeks leading up to the event.

"They played different types of drums, and the end result was a wonderful cacophony of sound," said the MTDF General Secretary, Aiban S Mawkhroh.

The drummers played a synchronized tune, called "Positive Vibration" for around 10 minutes early in the evening of 26 October.

Western tourists who attended the event said they were delighted with what they had seen and heard.

Michael Whitty (left), the representative from Guinness World Records, personally presented a certificate to the tourism minister once he had ascertained that the mass drum ensemble had succeeded in playing the same rhythmic pattern for five minutes. The achievement sparked wild celebrations across the capital -- Meghalaya can now boast two world records: it is the wettest place in the world and maybe now the loudest!