IMPHAL, March 14: Rock Music Manipur Vol. 1, a compilation album of original music featuring 25 bands and individual artists of the state was released on March 9. The compilation also includes 2 bonus tracks from Manipur’s renowned bands: Post Mark and Phynyx.
The compilation was an initiative taken by the Rock Music Manipur (RMM), a community of rock musicians and enthusiasts from the state, as well as from outside the state. This community compiled a total of 37 tracks, belonging to multiple genres, into a one-of-the-first kind of album. This event is also a first of its kind in the musical history of the age old tradition and culture of Manipur, a statement of the RMM stated.
Quite a number of Manipuri rock bands have written original songs, some of them released their songs and albums via internet and as CDs or Cassettes. These are usually known in private circulation while many are unaware about the songs and the musicians who created them. The idea behind RMM Vol. 1 is to make the musicians and their songs reach a wider audience, from grass root level, it stated.
Many songs in this compilation reflect life in general and more particularly various situations in Manipur – be it law and order or moral values. These musicians have transformed their commentary about the society and its dweller has kept us conscious of the socio-economic and political issues of the state through their lyrics.
With artist from Maram, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Imphal and Bishnupur in Manipur to Bangalore and Delhi based Manipuri bands, this compilation album hope to carve a common platform to share and act as a social force of consciousness and change.
RMM had also distributed the compilation to various Yaoshang sports venues in different leikais (localities) of the state. Copies were also sent to different clubs in all the districts of Manipur.
Soon the CDs will also be available for sale at various musical and related events. Money raised from the sales of the record will be evenly shared among all the participating bands/ artists, the statement added.
The release session took place with a formal gathering of the musicians at Young Pioneer Organization (YPO), Yaiskul.
YPO, was the first club where the distribution of the CD was also inaugurated.
Some of the names who were present in the event include Guru Rewben Mashangva, Ingocha Thingom, Paras Nongmaithem, Boycha Konjengbam, Vivek Sharma and Bobby Nameirakpam.
The event started with a brief speech from Guru Rewben Mashangva who said, “It`s hard to compose, record and release an album. It also takes lots of money to record an album. I thank RMM and the music lovers for making this compilation a reality.”
Guitarist Vivek Sharma of Phoenix/ Phynyx also spoke in the gathering, he said “To record a song is a time consuming and needs lot of money and musicians can`t afford to do it often. This compilation by RMM group is a big step. Phynyx`s `Woman` was also included in Great Indian Rock Vol 2. In the next compilation of RMM, we can select songs from various entries by bands, and compile, so that all the bands work harder to compose better, original songs.
The day witnessed one of the largest congregations of musicians on the same stage from different musical backgrounds. It was a gathering of bands/ artists for a cause to promote original music borne and nurtured from the soils and spirit of Manipur.
The event was also attended by members of Kradle O’ Beats, Scribble Link Purgatory, Chem Weed FM, Cleave, Deeparaj Oinam, Uttam Haobam, Fringes, Dead Mobster, Wild Flower, White Fire, Yuthak Wah, Sandrembee, etc. who stood on the stage as one and released the compilation album – RMM Vol 1.
After the release ceremony at YPO Yaiskul, members of RMM along with the band members distributed the CDs to various leikai clubs in Yaiskul, Singjamei, Keishamthong and Kwakeithel.
Later in the evening, the volunteers of the event which comprised of almost all the rock bands and music lovers/supporters sat down for an evening tea and shared their own technical knowledge and experiences together, to a better step forward.
In the days that followed (10th and 11th of March 2012), the compilation CDs were distributed to Nongmeibung, Nambol, Oinam, Wangkhei, Kongba, Khurai, Okram Chuthek, Soibam Leikai, Tera and Langol as well. It was a true show of unity by the participating artists and RMM. Members of the RMM group have travelled the whole journey – from the idea incubation to an initiative that touched the nerves of the people of Manipur. The RMM firmly believes that the universal tune of music and songs from the compilation will surely bring various communities of the state closer with love, hope and respect, the statement added.
