Tapta concert cancelled in Aizawl
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 17 2013: Eager fans broke down in tears as Tapta cancelled its concert in Aizawl after a Manipuri association allegedly disallowed the band to perform over non-payment of 'royalty charge' of Rs One lakh.

Tapta Band was supposed to make its maiden appearance in Mizoram capital at Vanapa Hall on April 13 as part of the current NE tour organised by NE Brothers.

After the gig was cancelled, many Tapta fans who were eager to witness the concert broke down in tears, said NE Brothers Managing Director Nelson E .

Many fans came to Mizoram capital from different parts of the State for the concert, he added.

Soon after his arrival to Imphal on April 16, lead singer of the Tapta Band, Jayenta said, "I feel sorry for our fans (in Aizawl) but we could not perform there as our event manager could not afford to pay the 'royalty charge' of Rs One lakh served by All Mizoram Manipuri Association (AMMA) .

Tapta performing at Shillong

The legendary Manipuri fusion singer said, " During Seven Year's Devastation, thousands of Manipuris fled their motherland to different parts of North East States and neighbouring countries.

The primary objective of the tour was to spread the message of love and brotherhood to the descendants of these Manipuris by interacting with them.

However, it could not happen in Aizawl as AMMA was unmoved with the stand of taxing our event management group with 'royalty charge' of Rs One lakh" .

Jayenta said, "As an artiste, I was so embarrassed with the situation, but I want to make it clear to everybody that Tapta Band and our event manager NE Brothers did not go there with the notion of reaping profit.

The tour was planned with an objective to spread love and brotherhood" .

The tour team left Aizwal in the wee hours of April 13 for their next concert in Shillong on April 14 .

Before the team bade adieu to Aizawl, Jayenta, on behalf of Tapta Band, left a handwritten note for the executives of AMMA.

The note clearly mentioned the purpose of the tour and the status of Manipuris residing in Aizawl.

Regarding his future concerts, Tapta said, "I thought earlier that living standard is high in Aizawl, but I now don't want to go to Aizawl again" .

NE Brothers Managing Director Nelson E said, sale of tickets started from March 16 for the concert in Mizoram capital with many fans took leave from their employers to witness the event.

However, AMMA asked the NE Brothers to pay Rs One lakh as 'royalty charge' for holding the concert which was not affordable for the event management group.

As Manipuri population in Aizawl is not that big, they expected a crowd of around 400 people in the concert, he said.

He added that it was unfortunate that many fans who came to witness the concert had to return dejected as the concert was cancelled suddenly.

The fusion band was on a tour of NE States entitled, 'Reaching the Brotherhood Once Lost - Seven Year's Devastation' .

The band performed at Wapokpi near Silchar (Assam) on April 10, followed by a gig at Karaikandi in Assam on April 11 .

The band then performed in Shillong on April 14 after the Aizawl concert was cancelled on April 13.The tour will conclude at Imphal with a concert at BOAT on April 19 .