Shillong ready for musical combat against AIDS

Shillong, Apr 28 (UNI) The Meghalaya capital is ready to turn its passion for western music into a tool to combat HIV/AIDS, as the city gears up to celebrate the 65th birthday celebration of legendary English musician Bob Dylan on May 24 with an array of programmes from rock shows to AIDS awareness campaigns.

Started in 1972 by a handful of music lovers, Dylan's birthday celebration would be into its 34th consecutive year in Shillong this year. Celebrated musician of the region Mr Lou Majaw and some of his friends conceptualised the idea of the celebration in the early 1970s.

It was a balmy spring day in 1972, when Mr Majaw and the late Eddie Rynjah cranked out a soulfully supercharged performance at the modest Assam Club here with a small gathering of music aficionados.

The event, titled 'Folklore: Phase One', showcased folk music with Dylan as the central theme.

Thirty-four years have passed and 59-year old Mr Majaw is all set to rock the show once again on May 24 at a performance that he calls a 'celebration' and not a 'concert'.

However, the most significant feature in this year's celebrations would be an effort to spread awareness against the menace of HIV/AIDS through music.

Mr Majaw and socio-cultural organisation Great Society, with support from the UN agency UNAIDS, would join hands with NGO 'Maitri', working here to spread awareness about the dreaded disease.

Other artists to perform at the celebration include India-based English musician Liz Cotton, Delhi-based music director and guitarist Arjun Sen, musician and painter Lew Hilt, drummer Nondon Bagchi and the father-son duo of Anjan and Neel Dutt from Kolkata.

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