Rock revival in the hills with a cause

Darjeeling : They had rocked the hills during their heyday and are coming back to save a life.

The members of Unity of Souls (US) and one member of Gottago — both are bands that were active during the 80s — are gearing up to perform for Ningma Waiba, a school teacher from Kurseong who is fighting against abdominal cancer.

Save the Life — the concert in which US is expected to perform after 15 years — is being organised by Rockaid Foundation at Capitol Hall tomorrow.

The revamped band is expected to have a number of new faces, sources said. Puran Tamang and Sachin Rai, two of the founder members, have teamed up with young musicians like Raja Gurung, Kalyan Rai and Rabin Tamang for the grand reunion.

“It feels good to revive the rock era and make the young crowd feel proud of the legacy of rock that always dominated the music scene in the hills,” said Puran.

The band is expected to play some original Nepali rock numbers like Mukhama Ram Ram and then accompany Gottago’s lead singer Manoj Rana.

“I will be playing some of the original numbers like Don’t Fade Away and Rock India Tonight,” said Rana.

In fact, Rana is also the co-ordinator of Rockaid and has promised to the give the proceeds of the show to Waiba for treatment. “The teacher is being treated at the Tata hospital in Mumbai and needs all the help”, said Rana. In 2004, the foundation had organised a similar show and donated Rs 25,000 to Natasha Rai, a patient from Darjeeling.

The tickets for the show have been priced at Rs 50 and Rs 100. It has already generated interest among the older generation that grew up with the music of these bands.

Source: The Telegraph