While India’s Covid-19 cases begin to fall sharply, smaller states like Manipur in North-East, remain the worst affected. To help the people of Manipur, 16 musicians from all over the country decided to come forward for a virtual music concert which will be organized early next month.
Singer-songwriters like Ankur Tewari, Anouska Maskey, singer Asees Kaur, singer-guitarist duo, Bipul Chettri, and Pranai Gurung, rock band Delhi Indie Project, Naga folk connoisseur Guru Rewben Mashangva, singer-songwriter Jasleen Aulakh, Manipur’s singer-songwriter-performer John Oinam Ft Kennedy, singer-songwriter Kamakshi Khanna of ‘Qareeb’ fame, Manipuri folk and fusion artiste Mangka, pioneer rock band Parikrama, vocalist, bass guitarist and composer Rahul Ram of Indian Ocean, Singer-songwriter Seev Ft. Sara, Kolkata-based multi-instrumentalist Tajdar Junaid, Naga quartet the Tetseo Sisters, and singer-music composer Zubeen Garg from Assam will be present during the virtual concert.
BeGood, a social community of young people aims to unify people by purpose and music. They organized this exclusive event and promoted this event using #ForManipur. Manipur has been worst hit by Covid-19 due to its adequate medical infrastructure, shortage of health personnel, and COVID-care facilities.
According to a Care for Manipur spokesperson, “Care For Manipur started as a bunch of people from diverse communities, professions, and geographies who connected over their love for the State. It has evolved into a not-for-profit group and is presently engaged in COVID relief work in the State. It has come together to save lives during the pandemic with medical supplies and monetary aid. We hope to raise money by July 10, and use it to deliver oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and other medical equipment, besides setting up ICU beds at facilities in Manipur.”
Poonam Lal, Founder of BeGood, while speaking of why they chose Manipur said, “There are strong emotional ties and nostalgia since I was born in Manipur and I grew up there. Personally, for me, there couldn’t be a better way to give back to the State! Also, music is a given, because it transcends boundaries and has a universality.
Music is in the soul of the north-eastern States.”
“Our many COVID relief efforts elsewhere led us to connect with this initiative in Manipur, run by some good people. The fund-raiser thought just took off and before we knew it, we had an amazing line-up of artists who were excited to help. They reiterated our belief that at the core of goodness is inclusivity, compassion, and kindness. That is what stood out as this project came to life,” she added.
