Where have all the flowers gone

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL | Aug 4

A two-day festival of music and art on “environment”— Where have all the flowers gone?— beginning from Saturday (today) is creating excitement and immense interest among music enthusiasts. The fest is organised by Imphal Talkies, an Imphal based folk-rock band that deals with contemporary issues of the state and Folksy Triumph, a non-profit event management organisation based in Imphal.

The fourth edition of the festival will be held at Khurkhul(Makha Leikai Maning Sabal Lampak) from tomorrow. Its previous editions took place in Chingnungkhok, Andro and Phayeng.

“Where Have All the Flowers Gone is not just a festival to celebrate the work of American folk singer late Pete Seeger but also to bring awareness of the environment to the people. The festival focuses on bridging the gap between rural and urban life, community involvement, providing platforms to youth, supporting indigenous culture and tradition, bringing together various communities under one platform, exploring unexplored rural areas,” said Akhu Chingangbam, vocalist of Imphal Talkies who breathes music, politics, and physics.

Every year the festival takes place in a chosen rural area of the state and the venue is changed every year, he said.

“Even the state tourism department and other event management teams have started doing events in Andro after Where Have All The Flowers Gone took place at Andro in 2015.” claimed Akhu.

He said the festival tries to provide a platform for the local people to get exposed to various forms of art and ideas during the festival and in the process, they can think of generating new ideas on how to promote their own arts, tradition and culture to the outside world.

The festival incorporates a various array of how it will flow keeping in its centre reason—awareness about the importance of the environment. The celebration which additionally gives a chance to explore the life of different indigenous individuals of the state and features their specialities and artworks including different sorts of activities running from tree plantation, photo exhibition, painting competition to music concert to film screening.

The festival will kick off with a cycle rally from Palace compound to Khurkhul on its first day. The celebration will likewise integrate programmes such as children’s painting competition, art/photography exhibition, an introduction to Khurkhul by Khulakpa Phuritsabam Somorjit and an account of Khurkhul: its tradition and culture by Dr Shantani Louriyam.

The day will end with music concert which will be performed by Uday Benegal (Indus Creed), Nassif Ahmed, Guru Rewben, Mangka, Sh@ne and Anungla. The womenfolk of Khurkhul will also perform Khunung Eshei.

The second day (Sunday) will follow with tree plantation, film screening and music concert featured by Tapta including Pebet, Eyoom and Cajon Diaries.

One artist among the performing bands said that such festival of art and music is a good platform to showcase the talents of artists and will integrate the people from different communities through music.

Around 25 food stalls selling indigenous food particularly of Khurkhul will be opened. “It’s a treat for me. Music plus indigenous foods is a great combination,” said one music enthusiast looking forward to the festival.

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL | Aug 4

A two-day festival of music and art on “environment”— Where have all the flowers gone?— beginning from Saturday (today) is creating excitement and immense interest among music enthusiasts. The fest is organised by Imphal Talkies, an Imphal based folk-rock band that deals with contemporary issues of the state and Folksy Triumph, a non-profit event management organisation based in Imphal.

The fourth edition of the festival will be held at Khurkhul(Makha Leikai Maning Sabal Lampak) from tomorrow. Its previous editions took place in Chingnungkhok, Andro and Phayeng.

“Where Have All the Flowers Gone is not just a festival to celebrate the work of American folk singer late Pete Seeger but also to bring awareness of the environment to the people. The festival focuses on bridging the gap between rural and urban life, community involvement, providing platforms to youth, supporting indigenous culture and tradition, bringing together various communities under one platform, exploring unexplored rural areas,” said Akhu Chingangbam, vocalist of Imphal Talkies who breathes music, politics, and physics.

Every year the festival takes place in a chosen rural area of the state and the venue is changed every year, he said.

“Even the state tourism department and other event management teams have started doing events in Andro after Where Have All The Flowers Gone took place at Andro in 2015.” claimed Akhu.

He said the festival tries to provide a platform for the local people to get exposed to various forms of art and ideas during the festival and in the process, they can think of generating new ideas on how to promote their own arts, tradition and culture to the outside world.

The festival incorporates a various array of how it will flow keeping in its centre reason—awareness about the importance of the environment. The celebration which additionally gives a chance to explore the life of different indigenous individuals of the state and features their specialities and artworks including different sorts of activities running from tree plantation, photo exhibition, painting competition to music concert to film screening.

The festival will kick off with a cycle rally from Palace compound to Khurkhul on its first day. The celebration will likewise integrate programmes such as children’s painting competition, art/photography exhibition, an introduction to Khurkhul by Khulakpa Phuritsabam Somorjit and an account of Khurkhul: its tradition and culture by Dr Shantani Louriyam.

The day will end with music concert which will be performed by Uday Benegal (Indus Creed), Nassif Ahmed, Guru Rewben, Mangka, Sh@ne and Anungla. The womenfolk of Khurkhul will also perform Khunung Eshei.

The second day (Sunday) will follow with tree plantation, film screening and music concert featured by Tapta including Pebet, Eyoom and Cajon Diaries.

One artist among the performing bands said that such festival of art and music is a good platform to showcase the talents of artists and will integrate the people from different communities through music.

Around 25 food stalls selling indigenous food particularly of Khurkhul will be opened. “It’s a treat for me. Music plus indigenous foods is a great combination,” said one music enthusiast looking forward to the festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.ifp.co.in/item/2535-where-have-all-the-flowers-gone