IT News
Imphal, Oct 16
The much awaited Shirui Lily Festival was inaugurated today by the Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge), Prahlad Singh Patel at Bakshi ground in Ukhrul is likely to be rocked with the performance of the internationally acclaimed hard rock band Nazareth. MLA Dr. Sapam Ranjan, who is the over all incharge of organizing the festival said that another internationally acclaimed rock band Extreme is on its way to perform at the festival on October 19.
“Love hurts” “Dream On”, Love Leads to Madness” “Where are You Now” , Nazareth’s numbers that won the heart of million people across the globe is what people have been expecting to listen live, even as the band’s lead vocalist Dan McCafferty will be replaced by Carl Sentence.
The Scottish hard rock veterans Nazareth arrived here in the state yesterday afternoon to perform in the ensuing four-day ShiRock 2019, an annual rock music competition- cum-festival held as part of the Shirui Lily Festival. The band members are attending the inaugural function of the Shirui festival.
Nazareth – which first gained international fame after their cover of American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant’s number, “Love Hurts”, that featured on their sixth studio album, Hair of the Dog – had earlier performed in Mizoram in April 2017, sources said. However, American group Extreme, which was formed in 1985, will make its debut performance in India with the Ukhrul show.
In recognition of the importance of the Manipur State flower Shirui Lily, the Shirui Lily Festival, which was upgraded to a State-level event in May 2017, is aimed at spreading awareness about conservation of the bell-shaped flower and also “to develop and implement sustainable and responsible tourism in the State”. It also serves as a platform to promote Ukhrul as a tourist destination of the North East.
Live music, cultural shows, beauty pageants, exhibitions, programmes folk songs, traditional dances, and indigenous games and sports competitions will be the highlights of the festival, which will showcase the age-old traditions and culture of the inhabitants of Ukhrul district.
