(From top) Shilajit, Subhen Chatterjee and Rupankar and Lakkhichhara perform at the concert, presented in association with The Telegraph. Pictures by Anindya Shankar Ray and Amit Datta

Concert For A Cause in aid of Aila victims, organised by the St Xavier’s Alumni Association in association with The Telegraph at the college auditorium on Friday was a heartfelt attempt to help people affected by the cyclone. A star-studded line-up of city musicians performed for free at the concert. Reverend Father Felix Raj, alumni president and college principal, talked about the need for immediate relief and permanent assistance for security, illustrated with a presentation shot by St Xavier’s students at Bholakhali, a North 24-Parganas village which has been adopted by the college.

The programme was conceived by tabla exponent Subhen Chatterjee. “I invited my fellow musicians and since it’s between friends, no one refused.” Rupankar, who sang the popular Priyotama, said, “This is free of cost because of the cause. We all have a conscience.” The show started off with Chandrabindoo belting out favourites like Amar bhindeshi tara, followed by Dohar, Prateek Choudhury, Lakkhichhara, Rupankar, Shilajit, Cactus, Krosswindz, Orient Express, Hip Pocket, Subhen Chatterjee and Karma and Usha Uthup.

Performers also paid their respects to Michael Jackson. While Uthup started off with We Are The World before moving on to Anjan Dutt’s Tumi na thakle, Krosswindz sang Beat It before carrying on with the Gautam Chattopadhyay classic Doriyae ailo toofan.