Musical homage to martyrs of 1962 War and to commemorate 50 years songs that infused patriotic fervour

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Sanskar Bharati Poorvottar is organizing a three-day long cultural event - “Sarhad Ko Swaranjali” - at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, from 22 to 24 November. A troupe of 50 artists will be representing Sikkim at this event which will be participated in by all the eight North-East Region states.
Addressing a press conference organized by the Sanskar Bharati Sikkim-chapter today, Kiran Rasaily informed that he will be leading an around 50-member Sikkim contingent will include singers and painters to the festival.
The Sikkim-chapter of Sanskar Bharati is organizing an audition for local singers [between 12 to 22 years of age] on 14 November here at the Thakurbari premises. The venue will also make space for a painting exhibition from where shortlisted painters will join the Sikkim team.
The Itanagar event commemorates 50 years of the immortal song “Ae MERE WATAN KE logon…” sung by Lata Mangeshkar, written by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramachandra and the Assamese song “Koto Jowanor Mrityu” written and sung by Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika. The two composition in turn whipped up strong patriotic fervor in the wake of the Sino-India war of 1962 when the North East bore the brunt of the aggression. Arunachal Pradesh was severely affected and the war saw 3,105 soldiers martyred.
Mr. Rasaily informs that on the first day of the event will have a north-east level competition judged by renowned artists from all over the country. The second day programme will begin at 5:41 AM and will continue for 24 hours - during which dance, music, theatre, painting and poetry recitations will continue without break till the next sunrise at 5:42 AM.
He informs that around 10,000 students from schools and colleges of Itanagar and its vicinity will take part in the group song ‘Ai Mere Vatan Ke Logon’ on the concluding day of the event.
He urged local artists to audition for a berth in the Sikkim contingent for this mega-event and seize the opportunity to pay homage to the nation’s martyrs.