On the eve of 31st October 2011, I was itching to do something, in the coming week, different from my mundane life. And at an online portal I stumbled upon this 'Peace Concert' that was happening at India Habitat Center on the 1st Nov. There were options..difficult to choose but anyhow, I went. It was organised by the UNODC in association with the Embassy of Colombia in India. They invited this very unusual Colombian musician César Lopez to India, where he presented the escopetarra (its actually an AK-47 rifle which he has turned into a guitar) to the 'Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti' in New Delhi on 31st October 2011. Later he also performed at a 'Music for Peace' concert on 1st November 2011 at the Stein Auditorium, New Delhi as part of the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) 2011.
And when I say the rest is history, It'll be an understatement. Because I was downright floored. I urge you to read more about Cesar and the brilliant work that he's doing in his part of the world torn by the civil war of many years.
http://www.unodc.org/southasia//frontpage/2011/october/india-striking-the-peace-chord-colombian-musician-cesar-lopez-and-the-escopetarra-come-to-india.html
Lovely compositions! And what a lovely transformation - from blame and hate energy into love and music. but what touched me is the initiative, the story behind that Gun Cesar very proudly shows off. Cesar was accompanied by two more artists - one on the acoustic guitar and another on a Spanish drum (cajón - Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈxon]).
His music, some may call it amateur but I felt that he's more, much more passionate than most of the musicians today. And I don't say this for the kind of music he does, but the purpose that makes this kind of music flow. Even if the language was foreign to me, he managed to touch the chord among the non Spanish speaking audience. The emotion, the intensity of his purpose, and the melody of the artist was palpable. The words had lost their meaning in that moment. Seeing this unusual instrument was a feast by itself.
The event was exceptional in what I have attended in all these years.Cesar is yet one more example of what one man is capable of doing, if he wills, to bring about change - no matter how little. It continues to INSPIRE and FEED my own passion to give back to the community.
Thanks Cesar for being!
This is link to the video of the event (just a clip actually. not as good as the energy & emotion of the live performance but nevertheless nice). Enjoy it! -
Here are some pictures I clicked at the event -
Inspiring :)
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