A 'euphoric' evening for a cause

New Delhi, Aug 28: Unplugged versions of hit songs by Rabbi Shergill and Indie pop rock band Euphoria regaled audience here as part of a fundraiser for the cause of animal welfare.

The event held last evening was organised by one of country's oldest NGOs for animals - People For Animals, founded by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi The evening began with Shergill singing unplugged versions of his songs such as 'Tere Bin' and 'Bulla Ki Jaana'.

Greeting him on stage, Gandhi thanked the singer for joining with the cause for a second time and mentioned that he first performed for the NGO in Dehradun and helped to raise funds to open an animal shelter in the city.

Next up on stage was Delhi-based singer Aditya Jassi who took the audience back in time with covers of popular Kishore Kumar tracks and some from his EP 'Seven'. Then it was the turn of Euphoria who took the stage with its strong 12-member line up led by front man Palash Sen.

The band dedicated the show for the animals and all those who work for a noble cause. People abandoned their seats and gathered around the stage as the band belted popular tracks - "Dhoom", "Aana Meri Gully" besides an unplugged version of its famous hit "Maaeri".

The band's concluding tracks consisted of a medley of popular hindi retro and contemporary songs.

"There's a reason I did this show, I was injured and Maneka ji was very concerned but you can't disappoint your followers and supporters, plus this cause is very very big for me. "People For Animals is the only charity we really support because people don't actually care about animals, people these days don't care about humans, let alone the animals.

This is the second time we are playing for it, so if we can support then why not," Sen said. The singer said artists play a big role towards noble causes. "I feel music is always in the forefront of social change.

Whatever I speak on the stage, somebody really following me, and supporting me would definitely try to understand the cause and if we can give them some good advice, nothing bigger than that," he said.

Praising the band's performance, Gandhi said, "It was an amazing performance. We would look forward to see you again."

PTI