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| Zubeen Garg: Global cause |
Guwahati, June 3: Zubeen Garg is no stranger to causes. He is brand ambassador for a cancer institute and trotted from one place to another to create awareness on rhino poaching. But with “We Campaign”, he has found a global cause.
Assam’s voice in Bollywood, Zubeen has joined a movement of concerned citizens founded by Nobel peace prize winner and former US vice-president Al Gore to create awareness on global warming, considered one of the biggest challenges to mankind at present. And as part of his own initiative, Zubeen is organising a concert in Mumbai.
The singer told The Telegraph today that he was in touch with prominent artistes, including Lata Mangeshkar, to participate in the concert. He said he was confident of winning the support and help of all prominent Bollywood artistes in organising the concert.
“I am also penning a song on global warming, climate change and the future of humanity,” he said.
“Global warming is an urgent and serious issue and no one can escape from the problem. It will affect every one of us, rich or poor, irrespective of caste and creed. A country like India will be greatly affected by the phenomenon. I am studying a lot about the problem and updating myself about the latest happenings across the globe. I will personally approach all artistes in Bollywood to ensure their participation in the concert. Global warming is still a solvable problem if we join hands and do something creative to sensitise the people,” Zubeen said.
About his joining the “We Campaign”, the singer said he was ready to extend all possible help to make the global campaign successful. He will also perform abroad to create awareness on the issue.
In the past, singers of the state have used music as a tool to spread awareness and different messages. During the language disturbance in Assam in the sixties, Bhupen Hazarika and Dilip Sarma travelled to communally sensitive spots singing what they called Haradhon rongmonor geet to ease tension between the Assamese and Bengalis.
In the mid-seventies, another singer, Jayanta Hazarika, led a group of singers to form the Sur Bahini, which travelled the length and breadth of the state and performed at roadsides to raise funds for the flood-hit.
However, Zubeen will be the first to use his trade for a global issue and in such a big way. He has sung 7,000 songs in various languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Oriya, Marathi and Nepali and has become a celebrity in Bollywood with his hit numbers in movies like Fiza, Kante, Mudda, Brides Wanted, Gangster, Pyaar ke Side Effects, The Train, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and others.
Shuttling between his home state and Mumbai, his workplace, Zubeen has been involved in lot of charity work of late.
“As an artiste, our social obligations go beyond just entertaining people. I am trying to do my bit through music which is the most easily understood language in the world,” he added.
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