Lou to add State folk music to repertoire
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2011: For rock and roll icon Lou Majaw music is a way of life and he sees good music coming out from the heart of the performer, and with this deep conviction, he has embarked on a new multi-pronged music mission in strife-torn Manipur.

Lou, who has been celebrating Bob Dylan's birth anniversary every year since 1972, will study Manipuri folk music, share his sea of music talents with the people to combat HIV/Aids and drug menace through music.

The sixty-four-year-legendary singer, song writer and composer from Shillong will perform at Gandhi Memorial hall popularly known as GM Hall or 'Town Hall' in the heart of Imphal on September 7 after about four decades.

"On September 5, I'll perform at Churachandpur district headquarters and on September 7 at GM Hall Imphal," Lou said minutes after he landed at Imphal airport on Thursday afternoon.

At GM Hall Lou will perform along with Friends.

Lou Majaw poses with fans

"I still feel excitement I had when I was with the 'Blood and Thunder' and 'The Great Society' and performed at GM Hall in the early 70s and it is for this why I have chosen to perform at GM Hall after about forty years.

I really love GM hall, which was also the best performing venue for yesteryears rock bands of Manipur," he said.

He along with key members of Churachandpur's popular rock band 'Friends' will interact with budding poets , song writers, musicians and singers on the growing trend of rock and blues in the region, Lou said.

"We will spread awareness on HIV/Aids and drug users through music in Churachandpur.

Manipur as all know, is one of the six states of the nation, having high HIV/Aids prevalence.

We have to combat the epidemic's spread," he said while expressing his gratitude to the Manipur Aids Control Society (Macs) for sponsoring his Manipur journey trip.

Friends' lead artist Ricky Chakchuak, who is promoting music to young people inlcluding inmates of various drug rehabilitation centres in Churachandpur under the sponsorship of 'MTV Staying Alive Foundation', said Lou's new mission in the tribal-dominated district will definitely bear fruit.

On his love of Manipur folk music, Lou said he was mesmerized by a powerful performance made by a Manipur performer, Bhagirat in Shillong early this year.

" I saw the music and his song coming out from his heart and I really love to study the components of Manipuri folk music.

During my Manipur stint I'll study this excellent music and see if I can instill its components in my new songs," he said.

In both Churachandpur and Imphal concerts, Lou will perform Dylan and Bob Marley's best songs as well as his selective self-composed numbers.

" I love Dylan's powerful lyrics.

Unlike the past events, we will organize Dylan's 71'st birthday on May 24 next year in a fabulous and meaningful manner in five acres of land near Shillong," Lou said.

Guitarist Bode Paonam, who is also a key functionary of a popular event management group 'Chumthang Event' , expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Lou for his love to perform in Imphal after a long time.