"Crying woman" to spread message of love
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2015: Well known singer Ranbir Thouna will stage the 12th edition of his "live on stage" next month carrying the message of love and peace among the people of Manipur.

The concert named "Crying woman" will be staged on November 7 at the 988- seat-capacity Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium.

The concert comes at a time when there are sharp divisions between the hill and valley, with hill inhabitants particularly Kukis and Nagas demanding separate administrations.

Three Bills passed on August 31 by Manipur Assembly � Protection of Manipur People Bill, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill triggered protests in the five hill districts.

Hill settlers allege that the Bills are anti-tribal.

"Ranbir Thouna live on stage will carry the message of love between the people in the hill and plain and also the importance of the role of woman in maintaining a peaceful and stable society," M Joy Singh, programme convenor said.

Joy, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East, said Ranbir through his music campaign would try to bring back the historical facts and peaceful co-existence in Manipur.

The theme song "Crying woman" laments the loss of lives and negative changes taking place in Manipur and tells listeners that some women in Imphal are crying on seeing all these.

Ranbir's music campaign on issues concerning the people of Manipur began in 1996 under the same title "Crying woman." At that time his campaign advocated peace between the Kukis and Nagas, who were then locked in bloody clashes in the hill districts.

Hundreds of people including old, women and children were butchered.

Thousands of houses were reduced to ashes and many villages were uprooted during the ethnic skirmishes.

In between Ranbir also launched music campaigns to save Loktak Lake.

He made tours outside the State and performed at Bangalore and parts of the North East to highlight the plight of Loktak lake.

"I launched Crying woman campaign in 1996 after seeing untold sufferings by the people in the hills because of the ethnic clashes," Ranbir recalled.

Ranbir, as a young boy witnessed a woman victim of the ethnic clash, coming to his locality to collect whatever people were ready to donate to her, be it cloths or foods.

The plight of the victim had moved young Ranbir's heart so much so that he had decided to launch "Crying woman" campaign.

During the show Ranbir will present as many as 30 of his best numbers including the theme song.

A number of guest artistes will also be taking part in the mega event.

In addition to these, symphony of violin, unplugged gig and acoustic drum jamming will also be parts of the show, that is expected to enthral the crowd.

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