It’s been a month since nature’s fury tore through Uttarakhand and changed life forever for the flash flood victims. Help has been pouring in from all quarters since the tragedy struck, but a lot more support is still needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction in Uttarakhand. In order to help the flood victims, 13 artistes from the city have joined hands to raise funds by organising a musical concert called United Unplugged Uttrakhand at Manhattan, the craft brewery in Gurgaon today.
It is said that music has the power to unite, heal and console. Sushmit Sen, former Indian Ocean member, who will be jamming with his old band for the first time after the split for this charity, says, “All of us, the 13 bands and singers, have just one expectation from this fundraiser — to have as many people as possible support the cause. We hope that the people in the capital and satellite towns come in large numbers to help the residents of the flood-ravaged state. It is for the first time after the split that I’ll be performing with the Indian Ocean, so it’s a special moment.”
The idea of this fundraiser concert was initiated by the rock band Parikrama. Speaking about this cause, the band mentions, “Nature’s fury was unrelenting and there were frantic calls for help from every quarter. It was inspiring to see the Indian armed forces extending help. However, post the first aid and immediate relief that was extended to them by multiple organisations and individuals, the bigger challenge is that of rehabilitation which requires funds. The best that we could do as artists and a band of repute was to speak to everyone in the fraternity for some collective action. It is then that this idea of a fundraiser was born.”
Subir Malik of Parikrama, adds, “We leveraged our contacts in the industry and thankfully other bands and artistes were willing to help as well. The tickets of this concert were sold immediately after the details were announced.”
It isn’t everyday that you get to hear Rabbi Shergill live along with Indian Ocean, Parikrama, Advaita, Hari and Sukhmani, Them Clones, Adil and Vasundhara, Bandish, Sushmit Sen Chronicles, Sonam Kalra and more on the same stage. Young artist Jasleen Royal, who will be performing at the do, reveals that it’s a heady feeling for her to be a part of this cause. She says, “It’s the first time that I will be a part of the 13 bands and singers, all names of repute, and this will be my way of doing something selflessly for the needy. Rehabilitation is something that requires money and the more we can collect through concerts like these, the better it shall be. While we continue to live our lives of comfort, there are people out there who need help. Performing for them and reaching out to them through proceeds collected is the least that we can do together as artistes.”
Singer Rabbi Shergill adds that whatever happened was beyond anyone’s control and very unfortunate. He says, “When you see those heart-wrenching pictures in newspapers and videos on TV, it moves you and prompts you to do something other than giving alms. The proceeds shall be directed to the disaster victims through Leap Foundation. Let us do our bit for these people in times of distress — every head and every rupee really counts.”