Virtual concert on July 2 to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in Manipur

Imphal: Amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, 16 musicians from across Northeast India and other parts of the country will hold a virtual concert on Friday to raise funds for relief work in Manipur.

The fundraiser, ‘Many Voices One Tribe’ will start from 7 pm onwards on July 2, Friday.

A social initiative by Be Good Tribe, the exclusively curated event is the third in the BeGood series after BeGood #ForHer and BeGood #ForEarth.

The latest initiative, BeGood #ForManipur, aims to bring together people, unified by purpose and music, to promote the cause of relief efforts and awareness in Manipur, which is struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual event will feature 16 artistes from all over India who will come forward to support the BeGood #ForManipur fund-raiser, part of the larger initiative ‘Care for Manipur’, to aid COVID-19 relief work in the state.

The artistes include singer-songwriters Ankur Tewari, Anoushka Maskey, singer Asees Kaur, singer-guitarist duo Bipul Chettri and Pranai Gurung, rock band Delhi Indie Project, Naga folk connoisseur and Padma Shri awardee Guru Rewben Mashangva, singer-songwriter Jasleen Aulakh, Manipur’s own 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.

According to a spokesperson of ‘Care for Manipur’ (CFM), the initiative started off as a bunch of people from diverse communities, professions and geographies connecting over their love for the state.
“It has evolved into a not-for-profit group and is currently engaged in COVID-19 relief work in the state. CFM has come together to save lives during the pandemic with medical supplies and monetary aid. We hope to raise Rs 1 crore by July 10, and use it to deliver oxygen cylinders, concentrators and other medical equipment, besides setting up ICU beds at facilities in Manipur,” the spokesperson said.

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Commenting on why BeGood chose Manipur for its new chapter this year, Poonam Lal, founder of the social initiative, said: “There are strong emotional ties and nostalgia since I was born in Manipur and 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. In fact, music is in the soul of Northeastern states.”

“Our many COVID-19 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 artistes 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.

Keeping the conversation completely non-political, BeGood and Care for Manipur have called on people who have roots in Manipur as well as those who are yet to explore the state to donate generously for the cause.