Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
One day long art and music festival, 3rd May 2014
at South Loushing Hillock, Near Chingnungkok, Lamlai

Ronid Chingangbam *

3rd May 2014, a festival of Music and arts with a view to respect, honor and protect our environment and natural resources, a first of its kind in Manipur will see the light of the day at South Loushing Hillock, Near Chingnungkok, Lamlai.The festival is being held in conjunction with Earth Day 2014.

Titled 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone?'( title of a song by Pete Seeger) is a one day long art festival inspired by music and environmental activism of the late American folk singer Pete Seeger who passed away in January 2014.

3rd May will be his 95th Birthday and we wish to commemorate the day by carrying out activities dear to his heart and fundamental to the survival of our environment. South Loushing Chingnungkok Hillock which is few kilometres away from Lamlai Bazar is a picturesque spot attracting a number of film shooting and picnic spot for years but unfortunately and slowly, its beauty is degrading because of plastic and broken bottles left by several not-so-concerned people.

The festival will bring in different forms of art at South Loushing Hillock with the aim to bring environmental issues and awareness about our Mother Earth to the people and festival goers.

The event starts at 9 am in the morning with social service by cleaning the hillock and followed by photo exhibition of Wildlife And Habitat Protection Society(WAHPS), open painting competition and art fair that consists of art installation work, performances, etc. Indian singer/songwriter Susmit Bose, who has been a friend of Late Pete Seeger, will spearhead the musical evening at the hillock.

Tangkhul folk music legend Guru Rewben Mashangva, Sorri Senjam, Imphal Talkies, The Koi and Anggu and The Musos too will perform in the evening.

The festival shall not only provide a platform to the youth of Manipur to express their views through various forms of art, but also an opportunity to infuse a sense of environmental awareness in the hearts and minds of the people who will be gathered there.

The neighbouring villages will also witness the convergence of music, arts and aesthetical values of the people and the need to stay close to our nature. This community bonding is the need of the hour and pertinent for any activities to be taken up on a larger scale for the protection of our environment.

Pete Seeger was not only a musician but a visionary and has initiated a number of environmental projects infused with his songs like conserving a lake at Beacon township, planting trees and creating a space for children and people to take and have a moment with our environment.

His birthday has been chosen as nuances of music, arts and environmental activism is epitomised with his life and a perfect platform to showcase our talents and endeavour to protect ourselves by respecting our environment.