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Source:- AIR Imphal, Manipur ; Recorded by:- KO in public interest.

Imphal the 14th of April, 2012
Review
by Lukhendro Keisham

The 1st Imphal Metal Convention was held on the 14th of April, 2012 under the banner, Metal Age Reloaded at YAC Range Ground, Imphal. With a witness of around 2000 metal heads from the state the convention featured six bands along with a photo exhibition and a honorary invitational tribute to the rock legends (1960-1990) of Manipur.

It was an event organized through a congregation of youths from the state and various parts of the world with a common motive to encourage original music. They aim at building a strong plateform for the local and underground bands to strive to international benchmark. Free from any political and exoteric social connections the organizers crafted and showcased one of the finest work of promoting art to the culturistic people of the country.

It was 7 o’clock as the whole set up was good to go. Sandrembee spark up the evening with the djent, New Millennium Cyanide Christ by Messuhggah. Due to the late start of the show and limited window for the rest of the band they winds up with their version of Post Mark’s Metal Age as a tribute to the band. Opening for the show the band gained it share of applause from the fans. They gave up their slot with just two songs so that every band gets an enough slot. A loud C-H-E-E-R-S for Sandrembee.

The death-core Dead Mobster was the next. They began with Recent from Chelsea Grin. It was wild and chaotic watching them do the brutal way. Pushing the tempo to the limit they pour out 18th, an original based on the Great 18th June Incident in Manipur followed by Killers Don’t Cry, featured in the recently releases Rock Music Manipur Vol. 1 album compilation. With horryfing death growls and pig squealing the band ends up their day with a cover from Job For A Cowboy, Entombment of a Machine. “The 1st Imphal Metal Convention was a rock show with the best sound experience we ever felt in Manipur”, they commented later.

Dark as the night Azure Delusion, the young metal heads from Nagaland was the third on the line. They started their first ever gig in Imphal with Refuse Resist, a cover from the Lord of Thrash, Sepultura. Followed by Roots Bloody Roots, another Sepultura cover they went on to invade the 1st Imphal Metal Convention to one memorable metal party. Hammer Smashed Face by Cannibal Corpse was their final set list. Never a moment it was felt that Jenthui (bass guitar) and Asetuo (lead guitar) were temporary members of the band just for the Imphal gig. It was quite a warm gesture from Walo Keppen, who uttered Chak Charabra (meaning: Had food? in Meitei language) while meeting the band at the backstage after their slot. This bring us the feeling of oneness and brotherhood between Manipuris and Nagamese to the world. A technically comment about the band: Best guitar tone ever from a Korg AX1000 in live shows.

Painted signature face, seven string guitar, five string bass and self-carried drum accessories, the Cleave were a beast let loose. Beginning with ART, inspired from people living with HIV the band put up an electrifying start. With gothic keyboard intro and melodious guitar solos they made the crowd lost in the world of fantasy with their original, Instantly Silent. Adding on with the instrumental Incepting Me Own it was certain that the band was on serious business. Their final number was 7 Years Devastation, another original dedicated to the Manipuri martyrs who fought against the Burmese invasion during 1819-26. A fan among the crowd shouted, “Moi mangaire Manipur’da neirise!” which means “These guys are the one ruling in Manipur”. Ithoibi Potshangbam, manager of the band too shared that it was the best sound experience the band ever felt in Manipur. And from the fans, it was Cleave’s best gig ever.

As one of the band featured in the recently released RMM Vol. 1 compilation album Chem Weed F.M was the next on the track. The band showcased an impressive demonstration of both technicality and maturity in their sound. They started the day with an original, Demons Nightmare. Progressive in nature they took the crowd for a ride to hell with Walk With Me In Hell by Lamb of God, then followed by Ghost Walking by LOG again. Favoring the band fans scream their throat out heading for the front barricade.

The much anticipated band of the evening, Yonsample was on the prime time list. They grind up the heads with non stop mos pit and crowd surfing. With an experimental touch in their sound these Technical Post-Thrash Matalheads from Kolkata gave a good fight with melodious chorus and nostalgic riffs. Backstage head banging, raising horns and a rush among the crowd to take pictures/videos in their mobile phones was a sight to be cherished. Enriched with melodic dual vocal and aggressive guitar acts they were the craziest maniac of the day. It was mean as hell beginning their set list with The Instauration. Shredding only originals they went on with Break Through, Reincarnation, Passage and their newly released single, Espial Abyss Afloat. Crowds went chaos as they lash out Chaos Theory. The band had won various rewards at national compitition and is now busy touring the entire country heading its way towards bigger fames.

The final and the headlining act of the evening was Post Mark, a pioneer heavy metal band from Manipur who is making a comeback after 18 years of invisibility. The band was disarmed due to the death of its original vocalist, Abungcha Kshetrimayum (R.I.P – 1999). Replacing Abungcha was Uttam, a successful local artist in the Manipuri music scene. They en thrilled the crowd with songs from their album “Stamp On You” dated 1989. Their set list includes Metal Age, It’s So Funny and Soar High. The event witnessed a glimpse of Thabal Chongba (a traditional festive dance of Manipur) instead of mos pit during Soar High. Uttam’s vocal was an exact replica of the original recorded version of the song.

Apart from the mainstream musical sessions, along with the photo exhibition the organizers put up a CD stall where the recently released Rock Music Manipur Vol.1 was put up for sale. The photo exhibition featured 46 antique photographs collected and contributed by individuals, friends and families related to the rock legends of Manipur. This indeed is a very valuable contribution towards the memory lane of rock music in the country.

Paul Kamei, the vocalist of the then MACHINE HEAD (early 80′s) and THE CANNIBALS (1985) expressed his gratitude towards honoring and bringing forward the lost history of rock in the state. Regarded as the best front man, Lien Gangte (vocalist of Phynix/Phoenix) retold the past memories of rock artists, their struggle and experiences with limited reach to the outside world. He termed Bobby Namairakpam (drummer of Phynix/Phoenix) as the finest drummer in the country who on various gigs and festivals had won many prizes and awards all over the country. Bobby, who stood beside Paul and Lien thanked the fans for the respect and honor shown to the senior artist of Manipur.

From a convention this way to the multi channelled live streaming of the entire show, from the recollection of vintage photographic memories of yesteryear’s rock pioneers with a photo exhibition to the honoring of rock legends (1960-1990) by inviting them in a show this big, in front of all the fans these Today’s Rock Music Community of Manipur has acheived a remarkable milestone in its short but energying journey of musical goodwill.

Flashing shutter lights, muddy mos-pit formations, crowd surfing and screaming cheers made that half-full jammed packed YAC Range Ground glow till midnight. From the decades old humble beginning to the many internationally acclaimed events happening in the country this Imphal Metal Convention will sure acquire the much needed attention of the world. No matter how and what individuals contributed in formulating the event both mental and manual efforts of the organizer and volunteers were paid off with it’s huge success. Kudos to Sandrembee and The Greens who in association with Riverboat Event Management generated and initiated the ideas behind this marvelous event respectively. A huge applause for the Rock Music Manipur and it’s volunteers for their selfless contribution towards organizing and coordinating the entire event. They plans to bring back the convention next year with much bigger surprises.

***

Event Name: 1st IMPHAL METAL CONVENTION
(Metal Age Reloaded Festival, 2012)

Date: 14th April, 2012
Vanue: YAC Range Ground, Imphal
Time: 5 pm onwards
Ticket Rate: Rs. 100/- per head

Bands:
AZURE DELUSION (Nagaland, IN)
CHEM WEED F.M (Imphal, IN)
CLEAVE (Imphal, IN)
DEAD MOBSTER (Imphal, IN)
POST MARK (Imphal, IN)
SANDREMBEE (Imphal, IN)
YONSAMPLE (Kolkata, IN)

Sponsors:
Boss Juices
E-Pao
Likla
Rock Music Manipur
Scot Edil Pharmaceutical Company Stockist, Imphal

Sound:
Hills Sound Reinforcement, Senapati

Lights:
KISS Keishamthong, Imphal

**Special regards to those who without any personal gain or relation to any of the organizers and the initiators came forward to help and support the cause unanimously.

SANDREMBEE are:
Eroz (vocal)
Chingkhei (guitar)
Chickubi (guitar)
Themis (bass)
Jacky Chan (guest drummer from Chen Weed F.M)

DEAD MOBSTER are:
Vavananda (vocal)
Samson (guitar)
Kenyo (guitar)
Bungbi (bass)
Molly (drums)

AZURE DELUSION are:
Walo Keppen (vocal)
Akhrielie Gangmei (drums)
Jenthui (bass: for Imphal gig)
Asetuo (guitar: for Imphal gig)

CLEAVE are:
Tinki a.k.a Sonamani (vocal)
Bipin (guitar)
Vavindra a.k.a Tutu (bass)
Roseen a.k.a Abow (keyboard)
Thoi a.k.a Khunjaoba (drums)

CHEM WEED F.M are
Bulu (vocal)
Jiban (guitar)
Jackson (bass)
Jacky Chan (drums)

YONSAMPLE are
Arka Das (vocal)
Soumik Roy ‘Jojo’ (guitar)
Anirban Banerjee (bass)
Tuhin Paul (drums)
Anudhyan Chakrabarti (keyboards)

POST MARK are
Uttam (vocal)
Ingocha Thingom (guitar)
Boycha Konjengbam (bass)
Bipin Sanjenbam (drums)
(**Post Mark was formed in 1988 and it’s birth name was Death’s Guitar)

Bands whose photographs are put up in the exhibition:
The Kids (early 60′s), Waikhom Umakanta and Angom Pratap (early 60′s), Magnetoz (late 60′s), Makhons (1971), Runaway Tracks (1972), Phoenix (1980), Phynyx (mid 90′s), Cannibals (1985), Hell’s Angel (1985), Dark Krusaders (1986), Drixian Empire (mid 90′s), Brain Damage (1987), Death’s Guitar (1988), Post Mark (1989), Heavenly Finger (1989) etc.

Few Rock Personals Seen During The Concert
Angom Pratap, Bobby Nameirakpam, Lien Gangte, Mick, Nutan Elangbam, Paul Gangmei, Ringo Golmei, Sando Laishram, Thanlian, Vivek Sharma etc.

Organized by:
Sandrembee and The Green

in association with
Riverboat Event Management

supported by:
Rock Music Manipur (RMM)
www.RockMusicManipur.in

Justice for Richard - Protest at Delhi : Click the image to view the gallery

Racism and Its Violence: It’s Not a Private Affair Alone

We must ask four questions in order to put the unfortunate death of this young student from Manipur in perspective:

1.  When those people who reportedly hit him so badly to cause his death, the very act of hitting/assaulting him at that moment, will it be free from a consciousness or sense of Richard being “different” from them? And that this marker of being “different” will not have anything to do with (a) how he looks (his “racial” feature), (b) he does not belong “here” (correspondingly, he is from a particular place) and (c) he speaks a different “language” or come from a different “culture”?
2. The subsequent conducts of the police or college authorities which sought to cover up the case (amongst others, insinuating that he died of an accident or drug related death) will not have anything to do with the fact that Richard Loitam was a student/person who belonged to a distant/far off place (and hence the response of the police and authorities (sort of, can get away with the cover-up)?
3. Do the experiences of being marked out or treated differently or having faced outright acts of discriminations and humiliations have nothing to do with the decisions of those from the Northeast to join the outcry here (such as on social network-sites)?
4. Correspondingly, some sense of outrage or resentment that their friends from the Northeast face undesirable experiences of being marked out/treated differently or discriminations/humiliations in the hands of people from outside the region have nothing to do with their involvement in this outcry?

Answers to the above questions shall tell us something about “racism” vis-à-vis the present case. Indeed, these four questions will reveal that Richard’s case is a larger concern which has a collective stake rather than being merely a case of justice for an individual or a family. For instance, it seems, going by the preliminary post-mortem report and pictures of Richard’s dead body and his room that are being circulated on net, the nature of the injuries that had led to his death were not the results of a regular brawl with his fellow students who did not have the intention of causing injuries that might lead to his death or a consequences of a scuffle in which Richard fell and got injured. Prima facie, these pictures and the preliminary post-mortem report seem to suggest that the injuries that led to his death were results of a brutal assault. It is here that one is forced to think of the intent of those who allegedly assaulted him, and the above first question gets implicated in the present case which simultaneously makes Richard’s death a part of a larger issue of “racially” motivated acts.

Besides, legal fraternity will tell us that large part of the denial or subversion of justice under the criminal justice system in the country starts with the lowest level of the system, that is, the police. From refusal to register the FIR or registering it in ways that are detrimental to the victims to shoddy investigations, the denial or subversion of justice began from there. And more than any other class of people, it is the marginalized and weaker sections of the society who are more likely to face such an experience of subversion of justice is a well known fact. There is no point in denying that there had been an attempt to subvert justice by seeking to brush aside Richard’s death as a natural death and hush up the case. After all, the present outcry has been a reaction to such an effort to subvert justice. This being the case, what are the reasons for the attempt to subvert justice by the concerned authorities? Is it a case of familiar attempts of our criminal justice system which often denies justice to the weaker or marginalized sections of the society (here, the case being that Richard was a member of a particular people from a particular region which is marked by a marginal status vis-à-vis the larger Indian society)? It is this aspect of the present case which implicates the above second question, which, in turn, makes Richard’s death a collective concern over and above being a concern of his family and friends.

Needless to say, the outpouring of resentment and anger against the manner in which he was allegedly assaulted that led to his death and the initial responses of the concerned authorities have been presumably informed by a general sense of being marked out or differently treated or having faced outright acts of discrimination and humiliation by the people of the Northeast and an empathy with them by other citizens of the country. Only a self denial (due to ignorance or vested interests) of those who are used to seeking private solution (such as buying inverter) to a public malaise of institutional failures (electricity) in Manipur would deny that Richard’s case in not merely a concern or affairs of a private kind (family etc) but that of a public and collective concerns which speak of the place and experiences of the people in/from the Northeast. Arguably, it is also precisely because of this public concern that implicates the people from a geo-politically sensitive region that the Govt. of India and political class scrambled to respond to the outcry.

In order to understand the present case, both the unfortunate death, responses to the same and nature of contemporary understanding on racism, we might as well take note of the following two aspects:

1. Social scientists, researchers and commentators have time and again noted that there is something called “racism without race”, a phenomenon wherein prejudices or acts of marking out a difference and treated differently on the basis of “race” have been attributed/displaced/deflected to other attributes other than the victim’s race. Such responses are not necessarily CONSCIOUS acts; these are done subconsciously or unconsciously.
2.  Sociologists have pointed out that while the perpetrators of communal carnage commit their acts and justify the same in the name of the “people” (often by conflating that “people” in a majoritarian sense with the “nation” as “we, the people”) while the victims respond to the violence by seeking redressal in the name of “justice”. In short, while the majority speaks the language of (by appropriating) the “nation” that marks out the minority as the “other” while committing the violence, the minority victims speak the language of “citizen”.

The above aspects, the different “languages” of the majority perpetrators and the minority victim are points to be noted for us to grapple with the violence that has led to the death of Richard Loitam and responses to the same.

Need for Informed and Honest Response

Incidentally, and perhaps expectedly, on the other hand, there are some who have a misplaced, if not a sinister or deliberate, attempt to distract the issues at hand by raising the insecurity-driven-xenophobia which are often expressed in terms of “identity assertions” and violence against “outsiders” (or amongst the different communities) in the Northeast. Incidentally, some of these people who raise such issues have never spoken out against such xenophobic violence before they choose to raise the issue in this case. Raising such issue is not only reflective of a lack of understanding between the two forms of violence but also an attempt to distract, wittingly or unwittingly, from the issue at hand. The present case must, therefore, be addressed for what it is through proper investigations, which entails an informed and honest effort to take into account the context of the violence and the responses to the same.

It has been pointed out that the inmates (Jews/gypsies) of the Nazi concentration camps were/are not the only ones who were/are traumatized by the experience; the camps guards also suffer from the de-humanizing experience. However, juxtaposing the trauma of the camp guards to de-legitimize or sideline the dehumanizing and traumatic experiences of the inmates of those camps can only be a misplaced concern at best and at worst, a sinister move to deny the sufferings of the inmates and justify and perpetuate racism which had produced the Holocaust.

We must also remember that fight against “racism” in any form or manifestation is not an anti-state act. Indian State, constitutionally speaking, is not a racist State. Article 15 of the Constitution makes any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, race, sex or place of birth illegal. If the spirit and letter of the Constitution are not respected or followed by the Government or parties, one must not be apologetic about standing against the same. Notwithstanding the Constitution, we must know that our lived world is not entirely determined or covered by the constitutional provisions or laws. We might eulogize Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as the father of the Indian Constitution. But, I suppose, Ambedkar must also be acknowledged for his insistence on or preference for “social transformation” over “political transformation”. Perhaps, the Constitution is like an “interview guide” that researcher uses while engaging with the realities of the “field”; the actual outcome depends on what the researcher actually “does” with it. In short, the kind of “transformation” that he had in mind must therefore be judged by what we do with the Constitution. In fact, Ambedkar’s concluding remark in the Constituent Assembly on 26 November, 1949 on “those who are called to work it happen” must speak a lot to us today.

In short, the case of Richard Loitam brings home the familiar lacunae in our criminal justice system and the reality of “racism” with or without “race” which has often been underplayed, if not actively denied, in this country, including by those who are incidentally at the receiving end of “racism”. Sooner we realize this and seek corrective measures, better it would be for one and all.  Seeking justice for Richard Loitam must be a part of that effort.

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By Gyanendro Ningombam, Editor of MEEYAM Evening Daily.

Who says India is not “MAHAAN”? Yes, it is Mahaan – still Mahaan because the country, in respect of development of science and technology, information technology network, economic growth and foreign policy etc. It has gone far and far ahead in the pursuit of excellence in diversified field and become an emerging power. But in sports, the country’s performance in Olympics and in several other International competitions is dismal and it continues to be a laughing stock of the world. It has always been more defeat than fruition. Hockey, a wonderful field game, once dominated by this great country has now come to a stage of decadence. The 8-time Olympic champion has been relegated in the background and the country is now fighting for a berth in the Olympic qualifiers. It is amazing to note that in the span of 108 years the Mahaan Country could fetch only 9 golds (8 in hockey and 1 in Individual shooting competition), 2 silvers and 3 bronzes in the Olympic events. The India Olympic Association (The apex body of India Sports) and other federations are responsible for destroying the fabric of Indian sports. The role of the Indian government is also dubious for it provided blanket permission to IOA and the federations to destroy Indian sports. The lack of achievement in the sphere of International sports arena in not because of poverty. It is also not because of lack of funds and facilities. It is because of the unfortunate imprisonment of Indian players in the cunning hands of politicians and stewed mind of bureaucrats. Instead of taking country’s sports in bringing out equitable development in order to replace the present tragedy scene into ovation, they are fighting for their own affluent life style and nothing has been done for the cause of sports in the country. And the sports lovers in the country with a misapprehension mood brings the matter to question as to whether the IOA and federations officials are there to promote the Indian sports in general or are they concerned only about preserving the image or the reputation of their own seats in sports? People still want to be informed as to what is the standing between IOA and the progress of Indian Sports. All talk but no action. Come Olympics and various other major international tournaments or competitions the sports barons and officials will suddenly become alive. Lofty words are spoken, tall claims are made and high sounding statements are issued.

Indian sports have not yet been given the “Freedom” that it deserves although the country has been liberated for more than six decades. The purposed “Sports Bill” which mainly aimed to develop country’s sports is surrounded by controversies. Now a marked question to be discussed at depth is: whether is it possible to make a turn and twist from tragedy to triumph through a sagacious solution so that India uplift the present scene – from the pit of despair to the “Everest of Glory”. Well, if we leave the solution in the hands of these “JAGIRS” it will be a long wait perhaps it may never happen. Rather the further prevalence of the tragedies may result in a highly sustained atmosphere. Now looking into the global development experiences in sports we need therefore, to work hard either by adopting or limiting number of schemes in organisations, administration, management and training even laid by leading sports countries in order to enable to earn excellence on any pursuit. Apparently, we need to make effort with a serious view to make surer solution what all goes on in the corridors of Indian Sports which has sadly fallen on bad days. I’m sure there are people who can do it. I’m again sure India will be able to join in the run up to the world of sports if the administration and organisation is solely held by sportspersons. But it still needs to have to put up a “United Front” and fight ruthlessly against the politicians and bureaucrats (presently holding sports organising bodies and working only in vested interest) who always consider sports as their “DEN”. The time has come. This is the time. It is now or never.

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REYS all-rounder Jayenta was declared man of the match for scoring 23 runs and taking 4 crucial wickets.    

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