Handshake Concert 2019 to be held at Kuala Lumpur
The participating artists seen here during the full dress rehearsal before the press conference held on September 27. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
The 7th International Edition of Handshake Concert annually organised by the Rattle and Hum Music Society will be held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 2.
This was announced during a press conference held at The Heritage on Thursday evening. This year's edition is being organised in collaboration with the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, celebrating his life and values such as non-violence.
The 16 artists who will be accompanied by 5 officials will perform in two locations- one at Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur on October 2 and the other at KL City Hall, Auditorium, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) as part of the ongoing Diversecity, Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival 2019 on October 4. The Arts Festival began on September 1 and will go on till October 5.
Neingulie Nakhro, President of Rattle and Hum Music Society said it is supported by Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) and the team will be led by TaFMA Project Director, Hovithal Sothu. He also said 95% of the artists are performing for the first time in the International Handshake Concert this year and informed that the concert will feature cultural performances, contemporary fusion, choir presentation and fusion dances.
He further highlighted that these two shows will be for a very elite audience, timed and curated right down to the seconds. On why international handshake concert is being organised, he expressed that "we want to take our culture to the world. We want our people to come up to the International level because once you rub shoulders at the international level, you start thinking globally and get exposure to international standards."
Ruguo Kesiezie, Vice President of the Society added that for the first time the team this year is a 100% contingent purely from Nagaland whereas in the previous editions, there was always a mix of artists from different parts of India.
On selection of artists, he said that it is not bias to any tribe or individual but the priority is placed on the quality of performance of the artist but should also be in possession of Indian Passport with a proper validity while pointing out that there are instances when some artists are very talented but without an Indian passport in which case, they are helpless.
