Morung Express News
Kohima | August 23
The Rattle & Hum Music Society will be organizing a relief concert called the ‘Nagaland4Kerala’ Concert to raise funds for Kerala on August 24 at the Heritage, Kohima at 5:00 pm.
The concert will feature popular artists and bands Lords of Rock, Tetso Sisters, Colored Keys, Muno Shiu, Ethnic Future and the Rattle & Hum Band who will be performing for free. Addressing a press conference on August 23 at Dream Café, the Rattle & Hum Society extended the invitation to all the people of Nagaland to attend the free concert and extend their support and love to the people of Kerala. “We are organizing the concert at a very short notice considering the emergency and help required. Despite the criticisms, we are trying to see beyond our needs and reach out to people who are suffering in a larger magnitude,” said Theja Meru, President, Rattle & Hum Music Society. Information about the concert which was recently circulated in social mediums had drawn criticisms from the public where some questioned why no relief concerts were organised when Nagaland had experienced one of the worst monsoon catastrophes this year which had also displaced hundreds of families, caused deaths and destruction of livelihoods.
Neingulie Nakhro, Secy. Finance stated that the concert was decided in a spontaneous moment understanding the magnitude of catastrophe in Kerala. Apologetic to the hurt sentiments of the public, Nakhro expressed that the Society will continue to support and help the people of Nagaland as it has done in the past by uplifting the struggling local artists in Nagaland for the last 15 years. “We are grateful that we are able to facilitate our musicians. Our society is a movement for the promotion of culture and arts. The concert is to send a message that ‘We, from the music front, wants to send our love to the others’,” stated Nakhro.
Meanwhile Dr. Tolto Metha, Secretary Administration also stated, “The devastation in Kerala is of epic proportion. It is a small initiative, the amount we collect is very negligible but we want to send out the message that we are remembering them. We are not looking at the amount but at the love and support of our people. We are not neglecting Nagaland. This is just about a State reaching out to another State. It is a gesture,” Dr. Metha also mentioned that the Nagaland4Kerala concert in Nagaland will be one of the first concerts to raise funds for Kerala.
On criticisms about associating a catastrophe with entertainment, Dr. Metha noted that music is a medium that can connect people effortlessly, therefore it is a medium to show that ‘even in times of our needs and distress, we are reaching out to the other State. This is a true testimony of love among the citizens’.
The Society will be accepting donations in cash and kind. A donation booth will be set up at the concert where donors can drop in their cash and cheque. Bank and online contributions can be made to: Rattle & Hum Music Society. A/C No-1147102000001748 IFSC-IBKL0001147 IDBI Bank Ltd. Kohima Branch.
Contributions will be received till August 30. The concert is organised in collaboration with Decibel, Life Pro Sound Solution, Synergy Group Enterprise, Bright Bakery.
