Ranbir Thouna against the backdrop of Loktak lake. A Telegraph picture

Imphal, July 2: Leading Manipuri singer and an alumni of London’s Trinity College, Ranbir Thouna, is doing for Loktak Lake what iconic A.R. Rahman has done for the Taj Mahal — create awareness to secure the future of these two much sought after addresses for tourists.

From organising concerts and a cycle rally to releasing an album and booklet on the lake, Thouna is single-handedly campaigning for protection of the lake on the theme Save Loktak, Our Life, through a musical campaign inspired by Rahman’s efforts to save the Taj Mahal.

The concern is understandable for the lake is facing the threat of drying up because of rising pollution and neglect. “I drew inspiration from Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman’s song for protecting the Taj. Loktak is our life and future. If we lose it, lives in Manipur will be lost. I will contribute in saving the lake through music,” Thouna, known as Manipur’s Rahman, said.

Thouna has been in the field of music for 21 years. Trained in Hindustani and Carnatic music, this graduate in piano from Trinity College of London has more than 2,000 modern Manipuri songs to his credit.

It all began with an opening song at Loktak Kumei (Loktak Festival) in 2008, a function organised by Mayang Imphal MLA Th. Ratan Singh at Komlakhong, a village on the fringe of the lake. “I was requested to present the opening song of the programme. I started learning about the present condition of the lake and from the information I could gather I started fearing for the lake’s future. So I decided to launch a campaign to create awareness among the masses,” the singer said.

Ranbir has organised two concerts — one in Imphal in April and the other at Moirang, a fringe village of the lake last month — on the theme of Loktak lake, besides releasing his album Loktak: Save Loktak, Our Life on June 20. The theme song Ho ema nungshibi Loktak, Ho ima nungshibi Loktak (Oh beloved mother Loktak, oh beautiful mother Loktak) of the album was a huge hit.

Thouna also organised a bicycle rally on June 26 in Bishnupur district to create awareness about the need to protect the environment of Loktak.

The 300 square km lake, spread over three districts in the valley, is the source of livelihood for hundreds of people. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast and also houses the floating national park Keibul Lamjao. “Because of mounting pollution, siltation, explosive growth of phumdis (floating biomass) and also commissioning of a hydel project in the eighties, the lake is struggling for survival,” Kh. Shamungou, well-known environmentalist, said.

The campaign, under the banner of Thouna’s production unit — Tamna Sangai — has hired Shamungou. The unit released a booklet, written by Shamungou, on June 20 on the significance of the lake, its condition and suggestions for saving the lake. He has also involved authors like M.K. Binodini and police officers.