Music to revive Jamnagar people’s sagging spirits

Nimesh Khakhariya | TNN | Apr 8, 2020, 04:00 IST

Rajkot: Locked up inside two room flats in high rises can be an overwhelming task even for a week. In such a scenario, when it is a matter of 3 weeks on a trot, issues are bound to crop up within the inmates, acknowledges Jamnagar district authorities. Therefore, they have found a cure in music, a panacea of all ills, particularly aimed at boosting the sagging spirits.
Every evening an orchestra van will move around different residential societies of the city entertaining people by performing live band. To this purpose, the administration has roped in six artistes of the city who will not only perform live music, but at the same time spread awareness on coronavirus, their ishtyle!
The colourful ambiance near the residential societies will inspire people to join the performance from their own balconies, windows and terraces, maintaining social distance. “People can sing along, play their own instruments too, or simply enjoy the moment,” said district collector Ravi Shankar, while talking to TOI on Tuesday.
“Too many people confined in small spaces for a fortnight now will definitely need some type of counselling. Therefore, we got this idea of an orchestra van which will entertain and create positive energy among the people. The underlying message in it would be to hold on for a few days more and that thereafter everything will be fine like yesterday once more,” he added.
From motivational and patriotic songs, to foot-tapping beats, the artistes will belt out all sort of popular songs to attract people of all age groups. According to officials the musical plan is an experiment to engage people through music and help in psychological healing.
The initial pilot experiment of the ambitious orchestra van project was carried out at the G G hospital premises on Monday evening in which doctors joined in the song: “Hum Honge Kamiyab!”
The district administration, in the meantime, is preparing a list of societies date wise, where the van will be sent for performance. A police van will also join the orchestra van to ensure that people stay in their own houses and all precautions are maintained for social distancing. The artistes too be will be given protective gear including masks and gloves and will maintain social distancing while performing, cops said.