Nepal Earthquake : Mumbai artists, bikers do their bit for victims

Nepal quake victims are receiving support, aid and encouragement from all manner of individuals and organisations in India, including the artists and bikers back home.

Louiz Banks, considered the father of jazz music in India, is coming out with an inspirational song dedicated to the Nepal earthquake victims. Banks is of Nepali descent, and is composing the song, which is written by Devika Menon, a psychologist and author.

"It's called the song for the call of brethren love," said Menon, adding that she grew up in places where security was provided by Nepali people. "I have thought of them as people who provide security for us and they need our love and support now. The houses and temples they built have gone, and they need compassion and help at this hour. Music is a way to get through difficult times. If I can, I will house a few Nepali people. I wish to adopt an infant from there as well," she said.

The number will be performed by RaagaTrippin', a Mumbai-based a capella band.

Beat Twisters, a dance academy located in Charni Road and Kandivli, is conducting dance workshops in housing societies, malls and other places starting May 10 until later this month. "A one-and-a-half-hour workshop will cost each person Rs350 to Rs400, and all of it will be donated either to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, or the royal family of Nepal. We have two to three dance groups who have joined our efforts. We are asking choreographers in the film and television industry to join us too. We will share the pictures of the demand draft that is sent to Nepal so that people dont feel they have been cheated. But they are getting to learn dance for a good cause," said Rohit Bhatnagar, head choreographer of beat twisters.

Motorcyclists are not far behind. Brotherhood Of Bulleteers Motorcycling Consortium (BOBMC), which is a common platform for all Royal Enfield owners who are part of a group or a club, planned an event on may 1 to raise funds for the victims and relief operations.

The group had invited all clubs from Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai tobe part of the event. All the clubs decided upon a meeting spot - Walton Hotel, Vasai. They rode their bikes till KT Hill resort, Virar, where they had arranged a charity desk.

"Everybody contributed some amount of money depending upon what they could afford. We have collected an amount of Rs20 lakh for Nepal victims. We will be transferring the money through net banking. Also, one of the members has auctioned his bike, and the money from this will be passed on to Nepal as well," said a member of the BOBMC club.