Concert for an Environmental Cause

Gathered from countries around the world, the musicians brilliantly wove their distinctive tunes together. With relevant visuals and messages playing on a screen in the background, the result was a mesmeric show of music and visual arts, communicating the significant message of conservation and co-existence. Besides Indian Grammy® Award winning composer Ricky Kej, thestar-studded ensemble included South African Grammy® Winner Wouter Kellerman on the flute, USA’s Grammy® Winner Darlene Koldenhoven, Rocky Dawuni of Ghana, and the Grammy® winningMonks of Sherabling, Tibet. Musicians from Vietnam played the single-stringed
dan-bau, renowned Indian singersB. Jayashree, Charanraj, M D Pallavi, Chaitra H G, Vidhushi Dr Suma Sudhindrastrummed theveena, Manoj Georgewas on theviolin, Sumaranion sitar, Varijashreeon bansuri, B S Arun Kumaron percussion, Venugopalon table.Young voices from the Greenwood High Children’s choir conducted by Dominic D’Cruzalso chimed in. As the music wove its magic, sand artist Raghavendra Hegdecreated dazzling visuals alongside.

The concert was attended by a wide variety of people including school and college students, bureaucrats, professionals from various industry and service sectors, as well as anyone else who loves and respects India’s biodiversity. All those present left richer for being there, having enjoyed wonderful music and having learnt more about the dangers our country’s wildlife and ecosystems face. The performers and the audience also took the following pledge: “I pledge to protect my planet, I pledge to co-exist with nature, I will protect all living beings. Every atom in this universe is divine…whether living or non-living. I will not waste our natural resources. Every day, I will work hard to make this world a better place. I will be the change I want to see.”