Unless they’re at a music festival, it’s rare to see India’s biggest indie bands share a stage. But in a one-of-its-kind event, four bands — Indian Ocean, Euphoria, Parikrama and Indus Creed, along with solo artistes Sona Mohapatra and Papon — will perform for a charity concert tonight. The
‘Because I Am A Girl’ fundraising event organised by non-governmental
organisation Plan India, will be held on the occasion of the first International Day of the Girl Child.
“I am proud to be associated with the cause and to be sharing the stage with pioneering desi bands. Rock music has always been about the expression of freedom. We hope to raise awareness and funds for the specific cause of educating the girl child,” says Mohapatra, who will be performing ‘Rupaiya’, a song that advocates gender parity that she performed on an episode of Aamir Khan’s TV show Satyamev Jayate.
“I will also sing ‘O ri chiraiya’, a song that overwhelms me every time I sing it. Besides, there’s a new song called ‘Sona sings Meera (The Indian blues)’ from my upcoming album that I will be performing for the first time,” she says.
Being the only female performer in the line-up, she feels is “ironical and also an indication of how things are.” Adds Indian Ocean drummer Amit Kilam, “This actually goes to prove how much we need to have concerts like these for spreading awareness.”
The Delhi-based folk-rock band will play a few of the audience’s favourites. “We haven’t yet decided on the set list yet, but we will perform three songs in the half-hour slot,” informs Kilam. Upbeat about the gig, folk artist Papon says, “I am performing for a cause I believe in. I’m looking forward to the event and I will be singing five songs.”
The concert will be held at Chitrakoot Ground, Andheri, today, 5.30 pm onwards. To buy tickets, log on to www.kyazoonga.com/biaag.