SHILLONG: The advent of COVID-19 and the lockdown from March this year has seen the Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) reinvent itself and performing on virtual shows held across the country.
In October this year the SCC along with Shekhar Ravjiani of Vishal-Shekhar fame, AR Rahman, Shabana Azmi, Kailash Kher, Tarun Tahiliani, Raghu Dixit and Shekhar Kapur, among others, got together under Teamwork Arts in a programme titled #ArtMatters to perform on behalf of artistes and artisans who have suffered financially as a result of the pandemic.
Speaking to this correspondent, SCC spokesperson, William R Basaiawmoit, said, “It takes around 32 people to work in the background to set the stage for one performer. After the lockdown and the social distancing protocols, all performances have come to a standstill, leaving those working behind the scenes such as the make-up artists, sound and light maintenance personnel, the ushers, sweepers etc, in a very precarious situation. The fundraiser will go towards helping all these invisible workers. ”
Shekhar requested Neil Nongkynrih to write a song for the performance. A friend of Neil’s, Anvita Dutt, a lyricist and director of the Netflix film Bulbbul, crafted the lyrics for the song called Aatishbaaziyan, meaning fireworks.
Ibarisha of the SCC and Shekhar Ravjiani deliver a perfect duet backed by the Choir.
“The song is now on Spotify and every time someone views the video, funds are generated on behalf of the artistes and artisans. This song exemplifies how music and art can be the fireworks that light up someone’s life,” William explains.
Sanjoy Roy, managing director of Teamwork Arts and the man behind the Jaipur Litfest is using Aatishbaaziyan as the global anthem for #ArtMatters which is now being held worldwide as a fund-raising event for artistes and artisans that include music and dance teachers, and makers of musical instruments like sitar, tabla, guitar etc.
Aatishbaaziyan will be the song to launch the Jaipur Litfest at Boulder, Colorado, USA, on November 8, next.
The Choir is very excited about this event. But more than the Choir it is Shekhar Ravjiani who is overly enthused by the idea of teaming up with the SCC.
Speaking to The Shillong Times from Mumbai, Shekhar said, “Many of you might not know this but I sang for the Khasi film, Ka Mon Bajwat, directed by Pradip Kurbah and also composed a song for the film, Weibriew Mynsiem, sung by Mahalaxmi Iyer. Kurbah Sir was brave enough to give me a break. I owe so much to the Khasi people for their love and support and I want to visit Shillong soon.”
About SCC, Shekhar was ecstatic. “I have always loved the Choir and Neil is a fantastic composer. Now after spending time with them I like them even more. I would love to meet all of them in person soon.”
Shillong indeed has some wonderful connection with the best in the country and the world. If only this connection is used as its unique selling point (USP).
