Global concert rings in good news for Covid-hit musicians
Anand parmar, an ace percussionist from Ahmedabad was forced to start driving a rickshaw when Covid induced lockdown range a death knell for live concerts. He had no choice but to take up this work to sustain his six member family including three daughters. But Parmar has finally managed to pay the fees of two daughters after getting aid generated from a 10 day global online music concert which saw doyens of music including some Grammy award winners performing for charity.
“Music is my sole earning, as live shows are not scheduled to restart in the near future, I still drive the rickshaw. But I am relieved that I could pay my daughters school fees.” said parmar. At least 100 pandemic battered musicians from across the country have got monetary aid that was raised in the dikshitar Beethoven Mel harmony festival organised by the US based Mel harmony foundation. “Lot of people from all walks of life are suffering and the impact on musicians has been really bad I spoke to some of my colleagues in western classical and jazz music and in India too about the fundraising idea along with identifying the needy musicians” said Chitravina N Ravikiran, a popular Carnatic musician. “The assistance is still ongoing as we are receiving requests and recommendations for help.” Ravi Kiran told TOI from the US. Like parmar Ajay Patel a drummer from Ahmedabad too received assistance from the foundation. “I was forced to sell gujarati snacks as I had to pay for my daughter school fees and other expenses., In this extremely difficult situation, the donation from the foundation came as a blessing.” The festival was organised to commemorate that 250th birth anniversary of the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven and 245th birth anniversary off Muthuswami Dikshitar, Considered one of the musical trinities of Carnatic music. The festival witnessed the confluence of 4 time Grammy Award Glen Velez, Loire Cotler, Apollo chamber players, David Connor, Ed Matthew, Ben Jaeger and Steve Kurr.
The foundation generated at least 45,000 US dollars to 50,000 US dollars. RaviKiran set that the concert is still available online and people can watch it by contributing to the corpus
Credit – Times of India
Comments (5)
Very good job by madem and sir and thair foundation who come forward for help musician I heartily appreciate this Human beings work….. Thanks
It is very heartening to know about this great initiative and effort by the Melharmony Foundation and the Musicians Covid Relief Fund ( MCRF) to reach out to musicians affected by the pandemic ?. My sincere pranams to Shri Chitravina Ravikiran ji ?
Very good news for musicians of India.
Working any small job which pays far below the qualifications is a greatness of a dignified person .Hats off to such artists & people .It so kind of everyone who helped the needy .Reach Virasat also helped many folk artists & accompanists .I thank such organisations from the bottom of my heart .
Its our duty to give back to society from which we have earned everything in life
Naviin Gandharv
AMAZING WORK by ‘SWAR AALAAP’ team…
Hatts Off ?